Police said today that alcohol test purchasing results for Oxfordshire showed that licensees were heeding the message to check customers for proof of age.

Out of 207 premises that were checked during the 2009/10 financial year, 157 (76%) passed. This is an increase on last year’s figures where 184 premises were tested, and 124 (67%) passed.

Of those that failed, seven were successfully prosecuted this year. Last year, there were three successful prosecutions.

Test purchasers are volunteers under the age of 18 who enter licensed premises and attempt to buy alcohol. If they are able to get served without proof of age, officers have the power to issue the individual serving them with an £80 fixed penalty.

In some cases, they can be taken to court and face up to a £5,000 fine if found guilty. The business itself could potentially lose its licence to sell alcohol. Thames Valley Police’s Licensing Officer, Tony Cope, said: “The improvement shown by this year’s test purchasing results is very encouraging. Not only have we tested more premises this year, but we have also seen a much higher pass rate, and more successful prosecutions of those that failed.

“It shows that our message is getting across and licensees are checking for proof of age.

“The link between underage drinking and anti-social behaviour is clear and this is just another method we use to tackle the issue, and help make Oxfordshire safer.”