I challenged the Cabinet at County Hall today about the pathetic 13 tests they have carried out across the entire county to check if outlets selling alcohol are selling to under 18’s. How can we possibly hope to reduce underage drinking if outlets know that the chance of them getting caught out is so small. We have thousands of pubs, off licences, clubs and supermarkets selling alcohol yet we only have the time to test 13.

The portfolio holder promised me at the meeting today that the council will look at increasing the number of tests. I hope this is the case, but wish it wasn’t down to me to challenge this – it’s common sense and should have been done long ago.