Upsurge in use of fake identification

Police in Derry say they have noted an increase in the number of underage teenagers trying to gain access to licenced premises with identification documents belonging to other people.

And, they have warned that there are consequences for both those who attempt to gain access and for those who permit others to use the identity documents.

Constable Paul Larkin, the licensing officer, said driving licences and passports had been used.

He said: “We have ascertained that some young adults are willingly giving up their identification documents to friends and family members, but are obviously unaware of the consequences, especially around passports. In the last two weeks we have seized 30 forms of identification, a mixture of fake IDs, passports and driving licences and I am in the process of having these returned to the authorising authorities.”

Constable Larkin those who have had documents seized would have to contact the appropriate authority for their return.