Police in Wishaw have cracked down on shops selling booze to under-18s.
And one store has had its license suspended as a result.
Maxton Stores in Coltness has been banned from selling alcohol after being caught flogging booze illegally earlier this year.
The store, based in Maxton Crescent, had to plead its case at a Licensing Board meeting late last month.
However, a council spokesperson confirmed that its license was to be suspended.
“The Board, after considering matters, upheld the review application made by Police Scotland and decided to suspend the licence for a three week period,” a spokesperson added.
Police confirmed that a 17-year-old boy was sold alcohol within licensed hours on February 17.
Two individuals, aged 50 and 64, were reported to the Procurator Fiscal for the offences.
Sgt Jim Mutter, from Wishaw’s Community Policing Team, “Police regularly carry out visits to licensed premises to ensure that they are working in line with the conditions of the licence.
“I would urge all staff in shops to apply the “Challenge 25” policy when selling alcohol and request that they ask to see an acceptable form of ID.
“I would also remind people that it is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. It’s an offence for adults to buy or attempt to buy alcohol for someone under the age of 18.”
In 2019, the local authority’s Licensing Board refused the proposals from Maxton Stores to expand its alcohol licence following a lengthy meeting.
The bid from the store was opposed by members of Coltness community council.
Speaking at that time, the group’s chairman John Carr said: “If the application had been granted then it would have massively increased the floorspace for the store to sell drink.
“We know from speaking to police that Maxton Crescent can be a hotspot for antisocial behaviour so we thought this would be a step too far.
“What would be the benefit to Coltness?”
If you have information about shops that are selling alcohol to underage children or know people who are buying alcohol for children please contact Police Scotland on 101, e-mail Lanarkshirelpstwishawandshotts@scotland.pnn.police.uk or anonymously via Crimestoppers-uk.org online or 0800 555111 by phone.
