Latest news with #TonyFarrell
NZ Herald
27-04-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Five Tauranga liquor stores handed licence suspension after being caught selling to minors
In its written decisions, the authority said the duty managers involved admitted they had not asked the volunteer's age, their date of birth nor if they had any suitable form of identification. The breaches of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act occurred during joint compliance operations by Tauranga City Council's licensing inspectors and a Tauranga police alcohol harm prevention co-ordinator. The suspensions have sparked calls for 'greater accountability and oversight' of off-licence premises and stricter licensing criteria for duty managers from Tauranga alcohol harm expert Dr Tony Farrell. The council, which sought the eight suspensions, has confirmed the number of compliance failures during controlled purchase operations had more than doubled in two years. Council's compliance message Council Alcohol Licensing team leader Sam Kemp said eight premises failed controlled purchase operations last month. Kemp said the council was awaiting ARLA decisions for the remaining three off-licence premises and three duty managers for whom suspension applications had been submitted. 'Over the past few years, we have observed a significant increase in compliance failures, which have more than doubled from three in 2023, and four suspensions in 2024.' He said the four suspensions last year included two duty managers, one of whom allowed a person to become intoxicated on the premises. To date there had been eight failures in 2025, he said. 'This trend appears to be primarily due to complacency among duty managers, who often neglect basic compliance practices such as asking customers for their age or requesting identification.' Call for greater deterrent measures Dr Tony Farrell from Mount Medical Centre said the sale of alcohol to minors was 'extremely concerning'. 'The evidence is clear that alcohol use in those under 18 is associated with significant harm. 'Including increased risk of injury, impaired brain development, poorer academic outcomes, suicide, and greater likelihood of risky behaviours. 'Early alcohol use also increases the risk of developing long-term dependency. These harms are well-documented and preventable. ' Advertisement Advertise with NZME. He said retailers who sold alcohol had a responsibility to 'uphold the law and protect young people from these risks' and failing to check ID was a 'serious breach' of that duty. For many large retail outlets, a two-day closure may be 'little more' than an inconvenience. Farrell said he supported 'mandatory training and stricter licensing criteria' for duty managers, regular controlled purchase operations and a graduated penalty system that included longer suspensions. He said the broader issue was that off-licence alcohol sales were 'widely accessible and heavily marketed', particularly to vulnerable populations, including youth. 'A national approach to reducing alcohol availability and advertising exposure is urgently needed.' Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said it was the responsibility of liquor outlets to work within the law and conditions of their licence. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. 'I am aware that most licence holders have appropriate systems in place to ensure they do. However, those who fail to comply should be expected to face the full consequences of their offending.' McKee said she regularly met with stakeholders with a range of interests and views on alcohol licensing. 'We are looking at many parts of the [Sale and Supply of Alcohol] act that can address harm reduction, but also note an overall reduction in alcohol consumption generally.' Licence suspension periods Super Liquor Te Puke off-licence suspension from 9am on May 3 to 9am on May 5 Liquorland CBD Tauranga, Papamoa Liquor Centre, Bottle Craft Te Puna and Avenue Liquor Centre off-licence suspensions from 9am on May 4 to 9am on May 6. Manager certificate suspensions for Liquorland CBD Tauranga, Papamoa Liquor Centre, Bottle Craft Te Puna and Super Liquor Te Puke from May 5 to June 1.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Vehicle thefts on the rise in Ingram; Hyundais, Kia act as main targets
In the City of Pittsburgh, nearly 300 cars were stolen from September through the end of the year, now the Borough of Ingram is seeing the same trend. RELATED COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates: As car thefts rise in Pittsburgh, the number of auto squad officers decreases 'It's the one place you shouldn't have to fear anything, lately it's just gotten out of hand with crime,' said Tony Farrell who's lived in Ingram his whole life. The latest crime happened just one block over on Stratmore. Ingram Police said Tuesday night that a stolen Hyundai Elantra was stolen, windows broken. Just hours later, three parking spots away, another Elantra stolen from Crafton was found. It also had its windows broken. 'It's nerve-wracking; that's why I installed cameras. It was two males just walking down the street just trying car doors. You can tell they'd pause for a moment and just try to open them,' Farrell said. Both cars are part of a national trend of stolen Hyundai and Kia vehicles. AAA is even partnering with local police departments to give free wheel locks to car owners who want to better protect their property. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> AAA distributing free steering wheel locks to Pittsburgh area Hyundai and Kia owners 'If someone is looking to steal a KIA or a Hyundai and they see these wheel locks it's going to take them much longer to steal that vehicle so they will likely move on to another intended victim,' said Lynda Lambert with AAA. While Allegheny County Police gave out 200 wheel locks at last week's event, people in Farrell's neighborhood are still staying vigilant. 'We all talk to one another those that don't have cameras know I do and ask if I picked anything up this day and time we all try to work together,' Farrell said. AAA will continue to have wheel lock events across our region in the coming weeks in Uniontown, Cranberry Township and Washington. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
