Alcohol ‘code of practice’ for off-licenses

Councillor Noel Williams, PCSP chairman; Donna McWilliams, HR manager, Wine Flair; Anne Ritchie, Tesco; D McCormick, Wine Flair; David Sterrett, deputy manager, Sainsbury's; Inspector Martin Ruddy, Carrickfergus PSNI. INCT 36-720-CON

All off-licenses in the Borough were invited to attend the launch of the initiative at Carrickfergus Town Hall last week.

The scheme is being driven by Carrickfergus Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) in conjunction with the local PSNI team.

It is an initiative of the D District group of PCSPs and is being rolled out in Lisburn, Newtownabbey, and Antrim as well as in Carrick.

Representatives from a range of local retailers were in attendance at the event, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Wine Flair.

Alcohol misuse and underage drinking can be significant issues with a strong correlation between alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour, as well as health and dependency issues in later life.

To help reduce the problem of underage and binge drinking in the borough, Carrickfergus PCSP is asking that all off-licenses sign up and implement the Off-license Code of Practice, which gives guidance on the responsible sale of alcohol.

Retailers who sign up to the scheme will receive support from the PSNI, which will help with the implementation of the code.

They will also receive a resource pack, with advice leaflets for staff and customers and stickers and posters to display in prominent places.

At the launch event Councillor Noel Williams, chairman of Carrickfergus PCSP, commented: “The problem of underage drinking in our borough is an important issue and the Off License Code of Practice is a joint approach aimed at tackling this problem.

“By signing up to the code, off-licences are sending out a clear message to those thinking of purchasing alcohol illegally and will act as a deterrent.”

Cllr Williams added: “I wonder if people realise that they can be fined up to £2500 for this criminal offence?

“I commend off-licences in the Borough for the good work they already do to tackle this issue.

“I would encourage all licensees to sign up to the Code of Practice today, so that we can tackle this problem with a united front.”

PSNI Inspector for Carrickfergus, Martin Ruddy said: “This is an initiative aimed at helping the off-licence trade by working together to reduce the anti-social behaviour linked to underage drinking.

“It is a step forward to which I hope every single off-license outlet in the borough will sign up.“