Launch of Off Licence code of practice

Councillor Brian Bloomfield, Chairman of Lisburn PCSP launches the Code of Practice for Off-Licences with members of the PSNI, PCSP and off-licence premises at Lagan Valley Island.

This initiative is to address alcohol misuse and underage drinking as there is a strong correlation between alcohol misuse, anti-social behaviour and associated crime.

To help reduce the problem of underage and binge drinking Lisburn PCSP is requesting off-licenses to sign up to and implement the Code of Practice which provides guidance on the responsible sale of alcohol. As one of the most common ways for under 18s to access alcohol is to buy it from adults, off-licence staff will question and if appropriate, refuse anyone who is buying large quantities of alcohol or those who have bought alcohol on more than one occasion on one day. Staff will also refuse the sale of alcohol to intoxicated persons and maintain a refusals register.

Councillor Brian Bloomfield, Lisburn PCSP Chairman, said: “Lisburn PCSP feels this initiative will help address the concerns of alcohol misuse and underage drinking; and it is hoped that the instances of alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour will subsequently lower.”