The Government has abandoned plans for a centrally-led Christmas alcohol crackdown for 2008 targeting sales to under-18s and drunks.
Instead, local councils and police are to target priorities in their area, with the focus not necessarily on the trade. Grants of up to £30,000 are available per police force, with the Home Office investing £1.5m overall.
The Home Office says bids may 'build on' previous ones involving Government-led crackdowns on sales to minors and people who are drunk. I guess this means that we have not seen the end of “sting” operations cracking down on under-age drinking or sale to those who have had enough already!
And in a new move, bids for funding to cracking down on proxy sales of alcohol are being invited to support local problem-solving projects, which can address local priorities that stem from alcohol-related issues. Hopefully, this will also target the off-trade as well as licensed premises.
Successful bids must address one or more of the Government¹s three-part "delivery strategy" for reducing alcohol-related harm. The first part targets rogue alcohol retailers. This could mean action against sales to under-18s and drunks, and other issues such as disorder and flouting licence conditions.
The other parts focus on supporting and acting against heavy drinkers who cause problems, and actively promoting responsible drinking in the wider community.
So, as operators focus on promoting events and activities over the festive season, a key element will be refreshing their staff training on controlling the door, identifying under age drinkers and managing guests who have consumed enough alcohol at any point during the trading session.
