The number of police reports prepared in relation to sales of alcohol to minors more than doubled in 2017. The increase in the number of cases noted is in particular thanks to the recent introduction of so-called “minor inspectors”, as a means of monitoring alcohol consumption by under 18s. The information is reported in La Dernière Heure on Monday, based upon figures communicated by the Minister for Public Health, Maggie De Block (Open VLD).
The Tobacco and Alcohol Monitoring Body opened 5,199 investigations in 2017 for alcohol sales to under 18s, including 2,618 where checks were completed by such inspectors.
In total, 402 police reports were prepared in 2017 upon sellers not respecting the legislation. The figure is twice that of 2016 (then 184 police reports).
More than half of these police reports (236) were able to be completed due to the presence of minor inspectors. Such inspectors received intensive theory training, completed at the beginning of spring 2017.
The Minister for Health states, “Minor inspectors have a much greater chance of noticing an offence being committed. The percentage of offences for the investigations conducted by the minor inspectors is 11%.” She adds, “There is no doubt that this is due to the fact that these inspectors are less easily spotted whilst they conduct the checks.”
The Brussels Times