Zero tolerance stance to false IDs
BY LEIGHTON KEITH
SUBSTANDARD FORGERIES: Senior Constable Cheryl McGrath shows a variety of fake IDs that have been confiscated and handed in to police.
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Police plan to crack down on people using fake identification to get into New Plymouth bars.
A zero tolerance approach would be taken to people caught using or producing fake IDs, said Senior Sergeant Selwyn Wansbrough who added that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.
Last week Auckland police busted student Marcus Lim, 17, formerly of Cambodia, for allegedly making fake drivers' licences.
Police seized a computer containing a database of 250 people who bought fake New Zealand licences for $100 each.
Most of them were past or present students at Auckland high schools.
Mr Wansbrough said none of the Auckland forged licences were in New Plymouth.
"The ones that we've come across have been pretty amateurish attempts and easily detected – nothing like the ones that've been used in Auckland," he said.
About a dozen drivers' licences and other fake IDs were handed into police each month.
Learners and restricted drivers' licences were the most common, often from siblings and friends.
"They are normally of poor quality or are learners and restricted licences that are being misused," Mr Wansbrough said.
However there were concerns quality fake licences were circulating and Mr Wansbrough said police would keep an eye out for them.
"If fake IDs are being produced and licensees are being deceived by them, that puts the problem fair and square in the hands of police to crack down on them."
Alcohol and youth was a bad mix, he said.
"They get involved in crime and disorder.
"Youth drinking is a significant problem in the city, even with the 18 and 19-year-olds so we don't want 16 and 17-year-olds added into the mix."
Mr Wansbrough said licensees and doorstaff were doing a pretty good job most of the time.
Lim has been charged with forgery and will appear in North Shore court on November 30.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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