Fingerprint scanners used to stop young drinkers
OFF-LICENCES are using fingerprint machines to stop under-18s buying booze.
They are the latest tactic to tackle underage sales after 25 shops in Stoke-on-Trent were caught selling alcohol to under-18s in 12 months.
It followed more than 150 visits by trading standards officers who sent under-18s into shops to try to buy alcohol.
Most of the 25 businesses caught in the stings have had their licences reviewed and been ordered to improve CCTV and step up staff training.
Each OK ID fingerprint machine costs £1,000 and the first wave of five are being delivered in the city this month.
Each customer must prove they are over 18 once by showing their passport or driving licence. Then their thumbprint is stored and on subsequent visits the customer just has to scan their print on the machine, and it responds with a "thank you" to allow them to buy alcohol.
Shopkeeper Tim Bains bought a machine for Grandads Off-licence, in Wellesley Street, Shelton, after a youngster used by trading standards was sold alcohol.
The 40-year-old, of Newcastle, said: "Up to 80 per cent of our business is alcohol and in the past we were refusing to sell alcohol to about five customers a day because they did not have the ID to prove their age.
"Now they bring their driving licence once and the problem is solved.
"We have five refusals a week now, and it takes the mither out of the process.
"Some people look a lot younger than they are and once they've brought in their driving licence or passport once then they don't have to carry it around all the time.
"The police are so pleased with the system that they bring officers to see it working and recommend it to other shops.
"The cost of installation is offset by minimising the risk of being fined or even having your licence revoked in a review."
The corner shop, also known as the Watering Hole, sells a large selection of alcohol.
Police today stressed they have no access to the fingerprint records held by the shops.
PC Graeme Owen said: "Fingerprint identification scanning equipment is used to check the identity of customers who appear under 25 to reduce the risk of underage sales.
"There is a lot of public concern about the scanning equipment, but the police cannot access the information stored and it doesn't match our system.
"It acts as a deterrent by discouraging underage shoppers who are looking to buy alcohol.
"Passports and driving licences are valuable commodities and it's not a good idea for people to be carrying them around.
"This system mean they do not need to carry those documents to prove who they are."
What do you think?
8 Comments
by jabbdabado
Monday, March 12 2012, 5:29AM
“Tim Bains has done a 3 month stint in prison for selling FAKE perfume. He is the biggest criminal in the shop!”
by m3ssnuk
Friday, February 24 2012, 10:55PM
“Where and how is the biometric data being stored? Who will be responsible is this biometric data is lost or stolen. A lost bank / credit card can be replaced, account numbers changed is compromised however you can not change your print.
I have stopped my son using biometric systems in his school as I am not satisfied with assurances of the safety of the data being held.”
by L_A_U_R_A123
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 7:58PM
“So they have to show their ID to go onto the scanner....why not just show your ID each time..whats so difficult in that?”
by awoodvine
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 6:26PM
“While I do not agree that New World Order is on it's way, mower79 does make a good point.
I would be interested to know what other information these machines store against a fingerprint.
In relation to PC Graeme Owen's comments, I want to know why the police cannot access the information stored, when they have the legal right to access the data if it is to prevent or detect crime.
Will the off-licences that use this machine be registering with the Information Commissioner's Office inline with their statutory requirement for processing personal data (assuming they don't classify for exemption)? I've just searched the register of data controllers at null on "Tim Bains" and "Grandads [sic] Off-License" and no entries were found.
There is no way my fingers are going anywhere near one of these machines.”
by graham44d
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 6:17PM
“should be compulsory for shops who want to sell booze to have one installed.”
by greyguitar
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 11:08AM
“At last a sensible solution. But I wouldn't call five machines "the first wave". More of a ripple. One assumes as well as Mr Bains that the shopkeepers and assistants who have trouble with English (as reported in the Sentinel so no red arrow please) will also be having these installed.”
by mower79
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 10:55AM
“In the bible it says 'no man will be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast' everything is slowly but surely coming into place,we will soon be introduced to face recognition and people being implanted with microchips it is happening in usa already.96% of world population will laugh at statements like this but that is exactly what the government "and the illuminate"(people who control goverments) want. Wake up people before its too late,new world order is on its way and before you post silly replys try youtube search;the microchip,illuminates world agenda. that is just a couple of links i can think of off the top of my head.”
by WebMonkey1
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 10:55AM
“Name and shame the 25 Sentinel...”