To report an off licence?

[HotChocWine]

Long story short, off licence sold vodka to a 17 year old, that my 15 year old drank and we ended up in a and e as he was unresponsive

We have been told where it was bought, I was debating letting Trading Standards know about it

You'll need proof that the person buying was underage and that the shop didn't check for ID if you want trading standards to investigate.

However, the fact that your 15yo got drunk is largely irrelevant as it's not illegal for them to drink on private property. Of course that doesn't make it any less awful for you, but it's worth thinking about what you hope to achieve by reporting.

To clarify
It was not my 17 year old giving it to his sibling

My 15 year old and I have had a robust conversation about alcohol and the appropriate punishment given

Thanks

Underage drinking is as old as time. I'd concentrate on teaching your 15 year old to drink responsibly.

I would report them to your local trading standards, they will do their own tests.

If you know the 17 year old you need to speak to them about how their action endangered your son.

Focus on. your child

I suspect lot of us at that age got hold of booze underage and drank far too much. Probably didn't end up in hospital but it was a learning experience.

There is little point in telling the police. Without absolute proof they will do nothing. Better to have the talk with your kid and hope they learn from the experience.

You seem to want to hold the shop responsible for your 15 yr old’s willingness to drink vodka. The shop may well have thought the 17 yr old was 18. After that, it’s nothing to do with the shop.

Report if you want but your child asked his mate to buy it - so he also bares responsibility

Does the 17-year-old look like he or she is 25.
If not, then the Off-License staff should have checked, so definitely report them.
Whether or not the 17-year-old looks 25, you should also report them, for supplying your 15-year-old with alcohol and causing injury resulting in a visit to A&E…

Was it your 17 year old? You never said......

I would report the shop for selling alcohol without ID-ing the customer. I wouldn't place the blame on the 17yo, nor the 15yo for getting so badly drunk. The 15yo will probably never drink vodka again!

Were the two involved male or female? (It’s a lot harder for shops and pubs to spot u-18 young women).

You don't need proof to report it - trading standards can send a child mystery shopper to do a test purchase.

I bet half the people of this thread do not have 15 year olds. The same happened to my 15 year old. Afternoon in the park and a friend bought alcohol . She got so drunk and her friend called an ambulance. I was absolutely furious but now at 18 she’s not a drinker. She says she never wants to feel like that ever again. She’s the most sensible and lovely girl. Neither of us drink and we’d always talked to them about drinking. It happens.

If you have a concern, it is fine to report to your local licensing team. They will be able to establish if the premises is effectively putting Challenge 25 systems in place.

I wouldn’t necessarily take my 17 year old’s word that they were not challenged, though they may not have been. I’d ask the 17 year old for the exact purchase time, method of payment and any receipt on their phone etc so you can add to the report for CCTV, card/till transaction time. You may find their response interesting.

I work closely with our licensing team and hear about this relatively often. Most premises are very compliant though. While a lot of teenagers are looking for their own ways to circumvent the system. Also young adults working in shops doing favours for friends can be a nightmare for premises. No judgement on your parenting.

I was wondering that. It wasn’t entirely clear from the OP’s posts.

if you don’t look 25 the shop legally have to ask for ID. Not many 17 year olds look 25.

Yes I’d report to trading standards.

I have a 22,19 and 15 year old - they older 2 have had many drunky moments - 15 year old has not but does have the occasional canned cocktail - two now at uni I am glad they learned how to handle being tipsy and also how to help their more sheltered mates when they are drunk!

If my 15 year old got shit drunk at a party I'd hold her responsible unless she was spiked

This happened to me many moons ago 😱🤨 although I was 16 and bought and drank the vodka myself. My mum marched me down to the shop in the morning and complained to them. Loudly. I was SO embarrassed. I still remember it and could t face going in to buy alcohol or anything g else for years afterwards 🤣🤣🤣🤣

No he won't

The 17 year old was male. My DS was male but didn't go into the shop

I hope your DC recovers quickly and doesn’t do it again, OP. Must have been a horrible experience.

I would report, yes. They may or may not be able to take action on this particular sale, but it’s always good for them to be aware of which off licenses are ignoring the law so they can target enforcement on the worst.

This