... to attempt to buy alcohol from bars and off-licenses, in an attempt to identify trader illegally selling alcohol to minors.
Under the 'Test Purchase of Alcohol Powers' across Northern Ireland,
police have the right to "test purchase" at licensed premises which
might be selling to those aged under 18 years. To help them, police want teenager volunteers.
PSNI Chief Superintendent Peter Farrar said the scheme is about protecting young people from possible consequences of underage drinking, such as becoming a victim of crime, or becoming a perpetrator themselves.
However, not everyone is convinced that this is a great idea. Indeed, there are a lot of issues and questions about how young people participating in this program would be protected - Koulla Kiasouma, director of youth charity Include Youth, told the BBC that she was worried about how these powers would be used, and that more questions were raised than answered:
"Are we asking them to give evidence, are we protecting their identity, are we doing this in communities outside their own? We know the bullying that goes on for anyone being accused of being a 'tout'."
Furthermore, how many young people will want to be involved in something like this - nevermind the risks? Is it something that appeals to young people at all? What do you think?
