Letter: Alcohol rules too strict

Letter: Yet again I have witnessed logic turned on its head by an over-zealous member of staff at a well known shopping outlet – this time Asda in Telford Town Centre.

We all know that many shops selling alcohol these days have a challenge policy should the purchaser be fortunate enough to look under 25 years of age (the legal age actually being 18 to purchase). I actually agree with this policy most sincerely.

As long as the purchaser provides adequate identification, then all well and good. However, I don't see it as very fair at all in the following scenario:

Three friends are stood in front of me at the self-service counter. The girl (all three are clearly in my opinion over the age of 18 at least) is the one attempting to purchase, among other things alcohol, when the scanner flashes up the need for an identity check.

A member of staff states that all three must have adequate identification in order to make the purchase. No ifs or buts, that's the rules.

One of the gents did not have any ID at all, which resulted in the entire shopping being left at the store, unpurchased, in protest.

I couldn't help suggesting that the policy was at best a little illogical and clearly only created very bad feeling when applied in such a situation. She said: "That is the rules. We don't want an on- the-spot fine".

I also suggested that if I happened to be shopping with my children and I wished to purchase alcohol, would I be subjected to similar embarrassment if I didn't happen to have their birth certificates or passports with me at the time?

She floundered a little and then said "That is different" and walked away.

Surely it is responsible and legal to ensure that the purchaser conforms with the policy, but to extend it to any friend, family or associate who happens to around them at the time is ridiculous.

I'd love to hear Asda's reply.

Name and address supplied