Shropshire police warn teenagers not to tamper with passports to get into pubs and clubs
Police in Shropshire are warning teenagers not to tamper with their passports when trying to gain entry to licensed premises.
Last month a 15-year-old girl had her passport confiscated after she had changed her date of birth in order to gain entry to a Shrewsbury town centre pub.
Police have now sent the passport back to the passport office.
Pc Kevin Roberts, from Shrewsbury Police, said: "When we receive a passport under these circumstances we are required to return it to the passport office.
"As an individual you never actually own your passport, it remains the property of the passport office and they have the power to enforce a travel ban for up to 10 years.
"Town centre licensed premises and door supervisors are aware of this issue and are closely monitoring presented documents for signs of tampering. It is simply not worth taking the risk."
Grant Lees, chair of Safer Shrewsbury Pub Watch Scheme, said: "All of our Shrewsbury Pub Watch members are working closely with the police to ensure any young person attempting to use a tampered passport is dealt with appropriately.
"Safer Shrewsbury has given guidance to its member on how to best tackle this issue and safeguard these individuals.
"We would urge these young people to think twice before doctoring an official document.''
