News

Over 18's urged to prove their age with Validate UK card

Wednesday 14 October 2009

STATES of Jersey Police are working with retailers and door staff in Jersey to ensure that young people who want to get into a venue or buy alcohol have a form of ID which is easily recognisable to everyone.

The Police are urging people who need to prove their age, who might not own a driving licence, or want to take it out with them, to apply for a well-recognised Validate UK card, which is accepted as proof of age across the Island, and in the UK.

The credit sized cards show the holder’s photograph, name and date of birth. The cards cannot easily be tampered with, and because the photograph of the holder is scanned into the card, another picture cannot be placed over the top. The card is also marked with a hologram plus the signature of the holder.

The cards can be applied for online, at www.validateuk.co.uk or applicants can pick up a form from the Enquiry Desk at Police Headquarters if they prefer. The cards cost £10 each and normally take a week to process.

Explaining why the cards are useful, head of the operational support unit, Insp Diane Wheeler said: ‘Proof of age is an area of concern for both the Police, and the responsible licensees and retailers of Jersey who understand how important it is not to serve alcohol to those under 18, or let them enter licensed premises.

‘The Validate UK card costs £10, a small price to pay for a good night out. It is also useful for those who might not look 18, but who are old enough to get into a pub or club, or buy alcohol. It is colour coded so that different cards are available for different age groups; 12-15, 16-18 and 18 over. On a more serious note, asking for this ID means that licensees and retailers do not run the risk of prosecution of serving someone who is underage.

‘They can be quite easy to spot, but a driving licence is not a form of identification; it is a document to say that you are able to drive a car. Because the Validate UK cards cannot easily be tampered with and because they bear a photo, and have to be sent away from Jersey to be made, they are good method of checking someone’s age quickly and accurately, and give everyone peace of mind.

‘They are the best option we have at the moment as a method of identification. They are not easy to forge. The card contains all the information that people like door staff need to see to verify your age, but it will fit easily in your wallet.’

Speaking about the card, Carol Brodie of VALIDATE UK said: ‘VALIDATE UK is a PASS accredited proof of age scheme and we are very, very happy to help retailers, licensees and door staff who sometimes have a difficult job ascertaining the age of young people. We can supply specimen cards and information about the scheme so please call or email us – 01434 634996 – info@validateuk.co.uk or get in touch with States of Jersey Police Licensing Unit on 612416.

‘There’s also lots of information on the web site at www.validateuk.co.uk . We have recently sent packs out to retailers and licensees in Jersey as well as to newsagents and pubs in Jersey.’

Media information:

Insp Diane Wheeler is available for interview as is licensee Martin Kelly from Fridays, should media organisations require a spokesperson from a licensee’s perspective.