Premier Inn staff sold alcohol to underage girls

A Premier Inn employee sold alcohol to a 13-year-old girl while she checked in with an adult, police said.

The schoolgirl was served alcohol at the hotel in Letcombe Street, Reading, while a male "friend" booked a room as part of an undercover police operation.

The "test" followed previous failures by staff around preventing child sexual exploitation and selling alcohol.

An application to review the premises licence has been put forward to Reading Borough Council.

In a report to councillors, external, Thames Valley Police said a 13-year-girl was sold alcohol by the member of staff, who allowed an undercover police officer to book a double room for them on 12 October.

Officers said the child was only referred to as "a friend" by the officer and no phrases were used to indicate the pair were related.

The force said a 15-year-old girl was also sold alcohol during a test on 24 September 2016.

They added: "A staff member stated that a room could be booked for the 15-year-old child and the undercover officer accompanying her if it was done online."

Police said a meeting in March about the failures "did not produce agreement between parties on the matters raised".

In the report, officers said Premier Inn's "failure to agree to accept Challenge 25" concerned them due to it being a "useful tool" to prevent sales of alcohol to children.

Reading Borough Council will discuss the matter on 7 December.

Premier Inn has been contacted for comment.