Identity card makes sense

Carrying a card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) hologram means youngsters can gain access to age-restricted goods and services without having to risk carrying passports or driving licences which are expensive to replace.

Police in Burnley and across Lancashire are promoting the scheme as part of an alcohol harm initiative, which is seeing police forces across the country patrolling drinking hotspots as the college and university freshers season gets under way.

PASS has also been launched to combat fake proof-of-age cards which officers said were becoming a widespread problem.

Chief Insp. Eddie Newton, deputy strategic lead for alcohol harm reduction for Lancashire Constabulary, said: “The impact of alcohol harm on public services costs in Lancashire around £634m. a year and accounts for 10% of all crime.

“The new Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) is a major step forward in the prevention of alcohol misuse and associated anti-social behaviour by underage drinkers.

“Young people are rightly concerned about taking their passport and driving licence with them on a night out, due to the risk of theft or loss, and they require a reliable document in order to prove their entitlement to purchase age-restricted goods.

“It is also hoped that the new PASS cards will lead to fewer people losing their valuable identity documents on a night out, which in turn will reduce offences such as identity theft and fraud.

“I am keen to assure all businesses that cards bearing the PASS hologram can be accepted with confidence and we are doing a lot of work to help raise awareness of the scheme.”