17 September 2008
Pubs and bars in the Caerphilly county borough have received simultaneous unannounced inspection visits from various agencies recently, as part of a multi agency enforcement operation.
Licensed premises in the Caerphilly and Bargoed areas of the borough received surprise routine inspections over recent Friday evenings, to ensure they comply with all items of legislation relating to licensed premises.
The pubs and bars were visited by various agencies simultaneously to carry out their inspections, and included:
- Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC)'s Trading Standards team
- CCBC's Environmental Health (Health and Safety and Noise Pollution) teams
- CCBC's Licensing team (including a specialist Smoking Officer)
- Gwent Police (including Gwent Police Licensing Officers)
- South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (Fire Safety Officers)
The agencies conducted inspections at the various premises, on a wide range of licensing legislation, which included making test purchases, conducting health and safety assessments, fire safety assessments and other licensing issues.
During the operations, two members of staff at establishments in Caerphilly town centre were issued with Fixed Penalty Notices for serving alcohol to under 18's, and in addition, all partner agencies gave the DPS (Designated Premises Supervisor) of each premises' extensive guidance on how they must ensure that their establishment meets all necessary licensing legislation.
Caerphilly County Borough Council's cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman said, "It is fantastic operations such as this which truly illustrate partnership working at its best. By pooling our knowledge and resources with that of our colleagues at Gwent Police and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, we were able to undertake a comprehensive series of inspections to licensed premises throughout the borough.
The safety of our local residents is always of paramount importance to all partner agencies, and through this and indeed other future operations, we will continue working to ensure that our residents' safety is maintained, and that pubs and bars in our local area comply with the legislation imposed on them, so that our residents can continue to enjoy safe evenings out at such establishments."
Sergeant Rob Davies from Gwent Police, said: "This latest operation shows how we work with our partners to ensure that licensed premises are abiding by their regulations and are providing a safe environment for people to visit. We are pleased with the latest checks and will continue to work with the Council and the Fire and Rescue Service to conduct joint inspections."
This operation complements one of the current key strategic priorities of the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership, in its efforts to reduce the harm caused by alcohol. Caerphilly County Borough Council, Gwent Police and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are statutory members of the partnership, which works to reduce levels of crime, anti social behaviour, substance misuse and fear of crime in the local area.
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