A lot of people here are saying that the cashier was right in what she did. Here's my take on it.
The OP isnt complaining that he was ID'd. The checking of ID is quite a normal thing, it seems now, in supermarkets. However, what he is outraged by, is the fact that the 5yr old needed ID, too, to show that he/she was appropriately aged.
Personally, I hate alcohol and all the problems it brings, but I feel the OP shouldve been allowed to complete the purchase, as it was clear, he was the purchaser. If at some point, it became clear that the 5yr old kid was the one making the purchase (eg. the kid moved forward to make payment), then at that point, the cashier could've informed the child that they were not permitted to make the purchase. However, as it was clear that it was Shep who was making the purchase and not the kid, there was no reason for the cashier to deny the alcohol purchase.
I feel that the manager was merely backing up the decision of the cashier, which was correct. I wouldve done the same thing if I were the manager. If I felt the cashier had made the wrong decision, then later on, I wouldve had a private word with the cashier and corrected her. But at the time, in front of the customer, I would almost always back up the cashier.
It is pointless because it assumes that alcohol is the problem. Once over 16 or 18 you should know the score.
Alcohol is definitely a problem. A lot of people cant handle their drink and dont know their limits. Once drunk, people who are otherwise law abiding, can lose all their inhibitions and commit all sorts of offences. I've worked in public facing roles and Ive seen it first hand: customers when sober are totally different to when they are drunk.
Firstly just because you buy alcohol doesn't mean you will get very drunk, secondly when drunk most people don't cause trouble.
I'm not saying that everybody will become drunk, but many will. In fact many (on this very forum), drink for the sole purpose of becoming drunk. They drink till they vomit. They drink till they cant stand on their own 2 feet.
So why blame alcohol, people that are ***** are ***** in general. Restricting alcohol isn't the answer.
Supermarkets have recently come up against a lot of criticism for selling cheap alcohol. The people most likely to buy this type of alcohol are the youngsters as thats all they can afford. Hence, the supermarkets have been accused of encouraging underage drinking. This is why supermarkets have been clamped down on.
I used to work for Sainsburys (1995-2003). During that time, this ID business wasnt so strict. In fact, during my time there, I never ID'd anyone. But obviously now, things have become very strict.
However it should also not be an excuse and if someone is causing trouble while drunk we should come down on them like a ton of bricks rather than the current slap on the wrist.
The Police forces have recently made comments that a lot of their resources are being used to deal with alcohol enduced crime/violence. Alcohol is a SERIOUS problem in England. The booze culture should not be ignored or brushed under the carpet.
Anyway they can work on the checkout under 18 but they need aproval to sell alcohol. 