Initiative cracks down on fake IDs

UNDERAGE youngsters using other people's identity cards to buy cigarettes and alcohol face having them seized.

The legitimate owners will then be contacted by police.

Officers, licensees and shop owners are launching a major crack-down in Carmarthen.

The ID Misuse initiative follows an increase in the number of attempts by teenagers to buy booze and fags.

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Town inspector Mark McSweeney said it was an issue he and his officers were taking seriously.

He said there was an increase in underage youths using older people's ID cards.

"As part of the scheme we intend to work in partnership with local licensed and off-license premises to prevent these offences," said Sergeant McSweeney.

"This initiative will allow licensees to seize ID cards if they think they're being used by someone other than the card's legitimate owner."

PCSO Ben Staniforth has been working to get licensees on board.

He said: "We are also asking licensees to seize IDs if they think they're counterfeit.

"Once seized by either door staff, bar staff or management, we will collect them, book them into police property and contact the owners.

"We hope that this initiative will cut down the amount of ID misuse and deter people from trying it in the future."

The Queens Hotel is one of the pubs supporting the campaign.

Landlord Ed Wheeler said: "It's a good scheme and we are supporting it at the Queens.

"Anything that deters the use of fake IDs in particular will in the long run make carrying genuine IDs worth it."

Ralph Morgans, who owns two Spar shops in the town and one in Johnstown, said he welcomed the police initiative.

However, he said that his staff already had stringent procedures in place over attempts of underage sales.

He added: "It's a constant battle to make sure anyone underage is not trying to buy things they shouldn't and that also includes Lottery tickets."

"At Spar we have strict age verifcation alerts on the tills when someone buys alcohol, cigarettes and lottery tickets.

"Our staff are trained regularly and I think the police are doing well by reminding all premises in town about ID checks."