HMRC has pledged to crack down on illicit alcohol trading as part of a new strategy.   

The HMRC Alcohol Strategy lays out plans to get tougher on offenders, make it harder for people to deal in non-duty paid booze, and make it easier for legitimate businesses to pay duties.

Ralph Patel, NFRN national president, praised the strategy. He said: “Illicit alcohol threatens the pockets of both the Treasury and legitimate, law-abiding retailers, while dangerous counterfeits threaten the health of consumers.

“Any attempts to clampdown on the illicit trade have to be welcomed.”