Figures released from the Home Office in answer to a Written Parliamentary Question from David Ruffley MP have revealed that only 15 Penalty Notices were issued in 2005 for the sale of alcohol to a person under 18.

David said:

'It would appear from these figures that either Suffolk does not have a problem with underage drinkers or the Police are not using the new powers given to them to deal with it.

'The offences of sale of alcohol to a person under 18 and consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 were added to the Fixed Penalty Notice Scheme with effect from 1st November 2004. Since that time the Suffolk Constabulary has issued 15 penalty notices for the sale of alcohol to an underage person and no penalty notices at all for the consumption of alcohol by person under 18 on licensed premises. During this time the Essex Police have issued 117 penalty notices for the sale of alcohol to an underage person.

'I have now written to the Chief Constable of the Suffolk Constabulary to ask for an explanation of these figures. I want to know if the Police are choosing not to use these powers and if so, why?'