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Fake ID Warning to Teenagers

Police are warning young revellers not to risk a criminal record by using false or fraudulent ID to buy alcohol when celebrating their exam results this year.

The warning comes after police revealed a joint operation between themselves, Lincoln Big and Pub Watch members led to more than 160 driving licences, passports and 'novelty IDs' being seized in the last six months.

Officers believe this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of youngsters buying and altering documents and they are warning that prosecutions may follow.

City Centre Beat manager PC Jane Pickworth said: "We know there are a number of things going on here. Some people are doctoring their own documents, some people are changing dates on relative’s documents and there is also evidence that people are buying stolen documents. We know this because when we seize them we send them back to the DVLA and the Passports Agency and a number have come back as reported stolen by their rightful owners.

"So far we have simply seized these documents and sent them back. From now on we will be looking at issuing £80 fixed penalty notices to anyone purchasing alcohol for anyone under the age of 18.

"Beyond that, we are in the process of seeking advice on what fraud charges we could bring in terms of the documents that have been doctored. If we can prove that any have been stolen we will also clearly press charges.

"A lot of young people will have these documents and will be intending to use them to go out in town when they get their exam results. We want to warn them that underage drinking is not accepted in Lincoln City Centre and door staff and the police will continue to work together to stamp it out."

Lincoln Big Evening Economy Manager Shaun Barnett said youngsters were also wasting their money on 'novelty ID' which was being seized on a regular basis by door staff.

He said: "A number of companies sell these things quite legally on the internet. They get around the law buy making things like 'international driving licenses', which don’t actually exist, but look great in terms of the fact that they’re extremely professionally done and have things like holograms on them. All of our staff know what to look out for and none of these cards are going to fool them – you’ll be wasting your 20 quid.

"And not only do you risk the £80 fine for a friend buying alcohol for you, you also risk ruining the livelihoods of the people selling it to you.

"The person behind the bar who sells it can be fined and the bar could have its license revoked for selling to people under 18 – please bear in mind that your actions may affect people other than yourself."

Article Published: 11/08/2010

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