More than half of the licensed premises checked by police during a recent controlled purchase operation failed to meet requirements.

Senior Sergeant Cam MacKinnon, Eastern Bay of Plenty area response manager, said six of the 11 premises visited in Whakatāne, Kawerau and Ōpōtiki during the operation fell short of their legal obligations.

Police were disappointed with the results, which included selling alcohol to minors and other breaches involving identification checks.

“To see even one breach is disappointing, but six is so much more concerning,” he said.

During controlled purchase operations, volunteers aged under 18 visit licensed premises and attempt to purchase alcohol.

Police regularly conduct the operations at on and off-licensed premises across the area alongside licence compliance checks to ensure premises and certified managers meet their legal responsibilities.

MacKinnon said premises found supplying alcohol to minors could face serious consequences, including the potential suspension or cancellation of their liquor licence. Duty managers could also have their certificates suspended or cancelled.

Police would continue to work with the premises involved to address the breaches and improve awareness of their obligations ahead of the summer period.

MacKinnon said licensed premises also had responsibilities around refusing service to intoxicated people, which would be a focus for police as the busy summer period approached.