New code will "help clamp-down on alcohol related crime" says Jim Cunningham
20 January 2010
A new ban on irresponsible promotions, plus a tightened ID check for people buying alcohol, will help clamp-down on alcohol related crime said Labour's Jim Cunningham today.
These measures are among the final conditions of a proposed mandatory code for alcohol retailers announced on Tuesday by Labour's Home Secretary Alan Johnson.
The new conditions follow a nationwide consultation that generated more than 7,000 responses from members of the public, and will help tackle the alcohol related crime and disorder which costs the UK billions every year.
Jim said:
"These new measures will help tackle the alcohol related crime caused by the irresponsible promotions run by a minority of retailers. They will also help ensure that people have the option of free drinking water and smaller measures of wines and spirits.
"Labour is committed to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in Coventry, empowering communities to take action where alcohol-related crime is an issue. We have introduced drink-ASBOs for those convicted of serious crime fuelled by alcohol, and introduced Drinking Banning Orders (DBO), which can be used to prevent a persistent offender from attending a pub, club or off licence, ban them from certain parts of a town and from drinking alcohol in public.
"The mandatory code is another tool to help fight alcohol-related crime in our city"
The proposed conditions announced are:
• Banning irresponsible promotions such as "all you can drink for £10" offers, women drink free deals and speed drinking competitions. These promotions encourage people to drink quickly or irresponsibly and could lead to crime or antisocial behaviour.
• Banning "dentist's chairs" where drink is poured directly into the mouths of customers making it impossible for them to control the amount they are drinking.
• Ensuring free tap water is available for customers - allowing people to space out their drinks and reduce the risks of becoming dangerously drunk.
• Ensuring all those who sell alcohol have an age verification policy in place requiring them to check the ID of anyone who looks under 18 to prevent underage drinking which can lead to anti-social behaviour and put young people at risk of harm.
• Ensuring that all on trade premises make available small measures of beer, wine and spirits to customers so they have the choice between a single or double measure of spirits and a large or small glass of wine.
Any premises that breach the mandatory code or any secondary conditions that have been imposed will face a range of possible sanctions including losing their licence, having additional tough conditions imposed on their licence or, on summary conviction a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months imprisonment.
