Licensing Enforcement Officer Role
May I take this opportunity to introduce myself, my name is Pat Downes & I am the Licensing Enforcement Officer for the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board.
The BSCB is regarded as the ‘ Responsible Authority ‘ for the protection of children from harm. My role as the Licensing Enforcement Officer is primarily the protection of children from harm on or in the vicinity of any premises that sell alcohol,
particularly :
- Where the entertainment or services provided on the premises are of an adult or sexual nature.
- Where any current member of staff is on the sex offenders register or any member of staff may have previously been convicted for serving alcohol to under age drinkers.
- Where there is a strong element of gambling on the premises or any involvement on the premises of drug taking or dealing.
According to a poll released by the Trading Standards Institute almost half of 14 to 17 year olds drink alcohol at least once a week and that almost one in three are regular binge drinkers, most worryingly, the number of children needing hospital treatment has risen by a third in the last decade as the binge drinking culture of some teenagers continues to climb…
There are now some 2900 licensed premises within the Birmingham & Sutton Coldfield area where alcohol can be purchased, a great number of these being Off Licenses and newsagents shops. This is where most under-age sales of alcohol seem to occur most frequently.
Regular multi-agency exercises with the West Midlands Police, Trading Standards & Licensing Enforcement Officers are conducted, making Test purchases and Licensing checks at shops & off licenses to ensure that the operators are aware of their responsibilities in relation to the sales of alcohol to under age and any possible penalties for failing to do so.
If any Agency, individuals or parents have any concerns or queries regarding premises or persons which may be selling alcohol to under age then, I would like to be informed. Please do contact me either by telephone on 0121 303 8402 or 07917643387 or by e-mail at Patrick.A.Downes@birmingham.gov.uk and I will attempt to assist.