KIDDERMINSTER pubs and clubs are cracking down on under-age drinkers who try to purchase alcohol by borrowing other people's identification.

Staff are seizing any ID card which does not belong to the young person producing it.

Landlords have introduced a new policy of keeping the ID cards and making the owners come in to collect them - or in some cases, handing them over to the police.

Mark Carter, owner of Carters Bar in Vicar Street, and chairman of the Kidderminster Licensing Organisation (KLA), said: "While fake ID can easily be purchased off the internet, in Kidderminster we tend to have more of a problem with young people borrowing older brothers' or sisters ID, as siblings often look very similar.

"We now only accept passports or photo driving licences and they will be checked very carefully.

"Where young people have been found to be using someone else's ID we will ask the rightful owner to come in to collect it - and will only hand it over after we have pointed out to them the irresponsibility of their actions. However in certain circumstances we may hand over the ID straight to the police and let them deal with it."

In October last year, new mandatory licensing conditions were introduced regarding age verification to purchase alcohol. The only acceptable proof of identity is a hologram photograph, ideally a driving licence or passport.

Licensed premises are expected to ask for ID and to refuse sales where there is doubt over someone's age or ID is not produced.

Inspector Paul Crowley, district commander for Wyre Forest, said: "Using another person's ID with or without their knowledge is illegal, and both the owner and the person using the item are committing offences under the Identity Act of 2006.

"Passports are the property of the UK government and if a pub or club hands them in to the police, they may not be returned. If they are sent back to the Identity and Passport Service, the passport holder faces considerable cost and inconvenience in applying for a new one, not to mention possible disruption to travel plans.

He added the police would deal with people who misuse ID in a “robust manner”.