These guidelines will alter Northern Ireland's Licensing Order 1996 that allows someone under 18, under the direction of a police officer, to go into a bar or off-licence and try to buy alcohol.
The consultation document The Equality Impact Assessment for Test Purchase of Alcohol proposes the police officer will have to get the consent of the young person participating in any test purchase scheme. There is also a statutory requirement for the government to publish guidance on how these schemes should operate.
The Northern Ireland Office has brought in these changes after concerns were raised following its first consultation that young people were not protected enough and involvement would put them at risk. There is an £80 fixed penalty for people selling alcohol to children and, if convicted, licensees can be fined £5,000, and have their licences suspended, altered or revoked.
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