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2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
2.1 AIM OF THE EVALUATION
The main aim of the research was to review the operation of the test purchasing pilot in Fife in relation to the safety and suitability of the operating procedures, the impact of the initiative, the views of those involved, and whether the test purchasing of alcohol could be effective in reducing under-age sales, while protecting the safety of the young people involved in the scheme and taking cognisance of the views of the licensed sector.
The evaluation also addressed whether or not the procedures in place worked or whether they needed to be adapted for future test purchasing exercises. It should be noted that an assessment of the impact of the test purchase on the consumption of alcohol by under 18s in Fife was not within the scope of the research. However, it is possible that the evaluation will be able to reflect any impact on the recorded incidences of drink related anti-social behaviour based on information held by Fife Police Force and the local Alcohol and Drug Action Team; and perceptions of local communities of the impact of the test purchase pilot on drink related anti-social behaviour in the area. These issues will be addressed in the final evaluation report.
2.2 EVALUATION OBJECTIVES
The detailed objectives of the evaluation were to:
- Examine the results of the test purchasing exercises after analysing the data obtained by Fife Police to gauge the effect of the exercise in the pilot area, including the number of test purchases undertaken, the nature of the premises targeted, the number of sales made, etc.
- Gather the views of licensees in Fife ( possibly including a sample of licensed premises not targeted) at three different phases: baseline, (June 2006) impact (late 2006) and outcome (spring/summer 2007); about their practice in relation to selling to young people, their views and practice in relation to proof of age schemes, their perceptions of test purchasing in principle, their perceptions of its anticipated or actual effect on their own practice and those in the licensed trade generally, and their perceptions of way it was it was carried out in practice.
- Gather the views of the young people involved in the test purchasing exercise to see what participation has meant to them, for example, if the experience has been enjoyable or distressing, anxiety provoking or not; and their parents or guardians to find out their perceptions of their children's participation and whether they would be happy for them to take part in similar work again.
- Gather the views of police officers involved in the pilot concerning the actual practice of licensees in relation to selling to young people, their perceptions of test purchasing in principle, their perceptions of the training offered and how well it operated in practice and any difficulties encountered, their perceptions of its reception by targeted licensees, their perceptions of its impact on licensees, and their recommendations for any continuation or extension of the practice of test purchasing.
- Elicit the views of Procurators Fiscal in the pilot area, to ascertain their views of the pilot exercise, its perceived impact on the courts' and Licensing Boards workload, etc.
- Gather the views from the Licensing Board, local community representatives in the Fife area on the perceived impact of the pilot on drinking related crime/anti social behaviour, via community councils and drug action teams.
After analysing the evidence gathered throughout the evaluation from all the sources identified above a final report will be produced which summarises the main findings in order to inform the steering group, Scottish Executive, the Crown Office, Fife Police Force and other interested parties, as to the benefits and drawbacks of the test-purchasing of alcohol. This should address whether or not the procedures in place worked safely and effectively or whether they need to be adapted for future test purchasing exercises, as well as pointing out benefits and drawbacks with the test purchasing approach.
This report focuses on the conduct of the pilot from baseline up to and including the impact phases. As a result not all of the evaluation objectives outlined above are addressed within this report.
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