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On 9th and 16th October 2026, Wakefield District Police Licensing team alongside the district’s Policing Cadets, conducted alcohol test purchasing operations throughout Wakefield district.
Under the supervision of Police officers, a Police cadet was authorised to enter licenced premises to try and buy an alcoholic drink that someone of their own age group might attempt to buy. This was to ensure that the bars and pubs in our towns and city centres have robust age verification policies, point of sale prompts and staff training in place to prevent young people from being able to buy alcoholic drinks.
The protection of children from harm is a licensing objective which all alcohol licenced premises must adhere to, and to which West Yorkshire Police is committed to upholding. It is a criminal offence to sell an alcoholic drink to a person under the age of 18.
Every child has a right to protection from harm and all organisations that come into contact with children should have safeguarding policies and procedures in place to help keep them safe.
Of the 47 licenced premises visited throughout the two days, the Police cadets made seven successful test purchases. Police criminal investigations have now been commenced in relation to those sales. During the other test purchases, the Police cadets were rightly challenged by the venues as to their age and the alcoholic drinks were refused. 
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