Cheshire West and Chester Council Trading Standards call for action over fake cards

2 July 2009

England’s first Trading Standards service to prosecute Internet manufacturers of false ID cards today (Thursday 2 July) urged other authorities to take similar action following a hard-hitting report on under-age drinking.

A survey of 13,000 North West teenagers aged 14 to 18 years, carried out by the Trading Standards Institute, revealed that 44% of those in the top age group carried false ID .

And whilst the survey revealed a 10% drop in youngsters likely to be sourcing fake ID via the Internet, it showed an increase in those more likely to be using cards belonging to their elder brothers or sisters.

Last April two directors of a Cheshire-based Internet company were jailed for selling false ID cards and Driving permits following a major investigation by Cheshire West and Chester Trading Standards Officers. And within hours of the verdict other similar companies shut down their on-line operations.

Previously, it had been thought that a disclaimer informing prospective buyers that the cards were not genuine could be sufficient to avoid prosecution. 

Andrew Rees, Team Leader, and Investigations said: “We always knew that fake identity cards were significantly hampering our attempts to reduce the sale of alcohol to under-age youngsters.

"The supply has been dented but statistics revealed today (Thursday 2 July) and the number of fake cards seized by our clubs and licensees provides ample evidence to suggest that many young people are still sourcing this type of cards."

Executive Member for Area and Community Services Cllr Lynn Riley added: "Sadly, these cards have proved a passport to many of the unfortunate results of excessive drinking for many young people.

"The report shows that binge drinking and drunkenness can change lives in a way that many young people will certainly regret for ever. We need to make greater inroads into this type of offence 

"As an authority committed to building safer and stronger communities, we know that Investigation and prosecution of companies selling these cards can be successful. We would urge other Trading Standards services to do the same if they feel the evidence is there.

"Ultimately, of course, the best answer would be Government legislation to prevent the sale of such cards and I am told that there would be country-wide support from trading standards services for such a move.”

Targeted Alcohol test purchasing in selected hot-spots allied to a special programme of staff training introduced by trading standards  officers  has produced dramatic results in West Cheshire.

For years test purchasing results hovered just above 20% of all attempted purchases resulting in the sale of alcohol to a minor. That figure has now dropped below 7.5% in targeted areas.

In its report the Trading Standards Institute is also calling for a complete ban on all Internet knife sales revealing that 80% of traders are breaking the law by selling them to youngsters.

Andrew Rees added: "Whilst Cheshire West and Chester have not been designated a priority area in this respect we do monitor and investigate sales both in shops and on the Internet and we would fully back such a ban."