ONE of Weymouth’s biggest bars could lose its licence after police reports of ‘excessive force’ by door staff and drinks being sold to under-age girls.
Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s licensing sub committee will be told of police concerns in their report about the Barracuda Bar in St Thomas Street.
The report says: Excessive force was used by door staff to remove a customer.
Two 16-year-old girls were sold bottles of beer by a member of staff in the presence of his supervisor during a test purchase by Trading Standards.
Officers found a licensing condition regarding toughened glass was not being complied with following three incidents of glass-related injuries.
The CCTV system was found to be in ‘a less than satisfactory state’.
The committee will have the option to revoke or suspend the licence, remove the designated premises supervisor, exclude a licensable activity from the licence or modify it.
They may also choose to take no action.
Dorset Police applied to the council for the review under the licensing act with the objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the protection of children from harm.
Chief Inspector Nick Maton, of Dorset Police’s county division, said: “Dorset Police has made an application to the licensing committee following a failed test purchase where two 16-year-old girls were served alcohol.”
Trading Standards manager at Dorset County Council, Ivan Hancock, said they have been working with the police across Dorset.
He said Trading Standards can prosecute the individual or business responsible and the council can serve warnings. He added: “The licensing officer can issue a fixed penalty and the council reviews the licence.
“We don’t use people older than 16. Our absolute limit is a year and a half under the legal age.
“It’s fair to say that across the Dorset districts, Weymouth has particular attention for problems of under-age sales of alcohol and misuse of alcohol in the town.”
Mr Hancock is hoping more people are asked for proof of age.
He said: “I think some businesses are of course frustrated or concerned that we would send in young people and they can see that as somehow trying to catch them out.
“But it really is an extremely fair reflection of normal procedures.
He said the youngsters used are not made to look beyond their age.
He added: “They don’t wear make-up and they wear what they would normally wear.
“Our whole ethos is to get over to businesses ‘no ID, no sale’ and ‘if in doubt kick them out’.
A Barracuda Bar spokesman declined to comment on the meeting, which takes place on Monday, May 18.
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