Kwiki Mart in Fawcett Road, Southsea, accused of selling discounted booze to underage girls if they 'wear low tops or are exposing their breasts'
A convenience store stands accused of selling cheap alcohol and vapes to teenagers if they were wearing skimpy clothing
A shop that faces losing its licence for selling to children is being investigated for giving discounts on alcohol “if girls are wearing low tops or exposing their breasts”.
The revelation about the Kwiki Mart in Fawcett Road has come from council papers for a meeting next week. As previously reported, the confidential agenda outlines how a police officer carried out an undercover test purchase operation during half-term, in which two young people were allowed to buy alcohol, with no attempt made by staff to ask for ID or check how old they were.
But in addition to this are submissions to the committee from police and trading standards.
The report reads: “Further representations have been received from the police on behalf of the Chief Officer Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. This follows a failed test purchase where alcohol was served to a child - after the review application had been served.
“This raises concerns for the police both in relation to the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm through this exposure and access to alcohol at such a vulnerable age.
“Trading standards have submitted a representation outlining a number of concerns where it is reported on numerous occasions that alcohol and vapes are being sold to children. More disturbing is the information that restricted items are being supplied - ie discounted alcohol or vapes - if girls are wearing low tops or exposing their breasts.”
Papers for the meeting outline how on May 28, PC Andrew Buchanan, of Hampshire Constabulary, carried out a test purchase operation at the shop. He was with two young people who chose alcohol to buy.
In his report, he said the shop worker looked at both young people and then rang up the amount on the till, without any checks.
“He took the money and gave them the change, and they walked out of the shop,” he wrote. “I completed my purchase and walked out and updated my colleague what had happened.”
PC Buchanan said in his report that although there was a ‘Challenge 25’ poster displayed, the young people “did not look anywhere near 25”.
Now, Portsmouth City Council’s licensing sub-committee will decide next week whether to revoke, suspend or amend the premises licence for the Kwiki Mart, which is at 126 Fawcett Road. The convenience store has been called before the committee, which meets on Monday.
A police submission has said that the store is undermining the Licensing Act 2003.
Talking about the test purchase it says: “This shows that staff at the venue have failed in their due diligence to ensure that correct age verification and staff training is being followed, also it shows a lack of due diligence on the responsible person of the venue to ensure that such measures are being implemented by staff.
“At this time the police are of the opinion the venue has failed to promote the prevention of crime and disorder, and protect children from harm licensing objectives.
“Failing to promote the protection of children from harm has wider consequences, this puts children in a vulnerable position that exposes them to being both victims and suspects of potential crimes, coercion and exploitation. This are serious failings and the guidance makes reference that revocation should be considered.”