Wrexham,North Wales - Nightspots to use breathalysers to stop 'nuisance' drunken revellers

Published date: 25 March 2016 | 

Published by: Staff reporter
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DRUNKEN revellers causing a nuisance in Wrexham town centre are being targeted in a new campain.

Licensed premises have teamed up with Wrexham Council and North Wales Police to launch a campaign where door supervisors and licensees use Alcoblow Breathalysers to make sure customers entering the premises are not overly drunk.

Drunk and disorderly customers can be a huge burden on the night time economy, often causing a nuisance, criminal damage and affecting those who simply want to enjoy a safe night out.

Premises taking part include The Bank, South, Penny Black, Chequers, Honky Tonks and Rewind.

The Licensing Act 2003 makes it an offence for anyone to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk. The breathalysers are an additional tool to help managers and door staff say “enough is enough” to customers who are the worse for wear as a result of drinking and gives an undisputable basis for refusing entry to their premises.

Once a customer blows into a device the machines gives a ‘traffic light’ reading with a green light meaning zero alcohol, amber being a medium reading and red being an alcohol measurement consistent with being twice over the driving limit.

David Thomas, vice chairman of the Nightsafe partnership and licensee of Penny Black, said: "The campaign was extremely well received, even better than we had imagined.

“Customers were enthusiastic to try the devices and we got a very encouraging response. There was no negative feedback from anyone that used the device, it was very positive."

Cllr Paul Pemberton, chairman of Wrexham Council’s licensing committee, said: “I welcome this partnership campaign and note that participation was voluntary by the licensees.

“It’s very heartening to know that so many got involved and that the campaign was appreciated by customers. Together with existing measures, this helps makes Wrexham nightlife a safe and welcoming environment.”

Sergeant Steve Owens, said: “This pilot scheme was not about spoiling people’s fun but was actually designed to ensure that those enjoying the night time economy in Wrexham do so safely.

“The six venues involved in this scheme were encouraged to use the breathalysers at their discretion. 

“It was not about having a blanket policy or breathalysing every person entering the venue, but it was to be used when there were legitimate concerns that an individual or group were heavily intoxicated and posing a potential risk to themselves and others.

“They could have reached this state by either pre-loading by consuming large amounts of cheaper alcohol before coming into the town centre or simply having drunk too much on a night out.”

see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/160198/wrexham-nightspots-to-use-breathalysers-to-stop-nuisance-drunken-revellers.aspx