27/08/2026
Officers from our Licensing Team took part in a test purchase operation where teenagers attempted to buy alcohol from shops.
The operation was conducted alongside Cheltenham Borough Council's Licensing Team on Saturday (22 August).
It involved teenagers from the Police Cadets who attempted to buy alcohol to gauge whether local businesses are being responsible and abiding by licensing laws.
This saw police visit nine shops. Five of the shops checked the teens' ID and refused to serve alcohol however four shops failed and served them.
The teens entered the venues that were being tested accompanied by officers in plain clothes, who observed their attempts to buy alcohol.
The test purchaser is always careful not to lie about their age and does not produce any ID if asked.
Completing the test purchases allowed officers to ensure that licensed premises are meeting their objective under the Licensing Act to ‘prevent children coming to harm’ and enforce any breaches through education, letters or warnings, tickets or taking the premise to review in certain circumstances.
PC Walter from the Licensing Team said: “We regularly carry out joint operations with our partner agencies to ensure licensed premises are operating responsibly.
"On this occasion, four shops failed to uphold their legal obligations, and we will be following up with those businesses and conducting further checks in due course."
Councillor Jamie Jamieson, cabinet member for safety and communities at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “We regularly work in partnership with Gloucestershire Police to ensure that licensed premises are operating responsibly and in line with the law.
“While it is encouraging that the over half of the businesses refused the sale, it is disappointing that several failed to uphold their legal responsibilities. We will be following up with those premises and will continue to carry out further checks to ensure compliance.”
The penalties for failing a test purchase can include a fine of up to £5,000, prosecution and withdrawal of the premises' licence to sell alcohol.
The businesses that failed will now be offered support to ensure they understand their legal obligations and that staff are aware of their licence conditions to ensure that residents and visitors to Cheltenham are safe.