REVELLERS planning a trip to the pub to watch the Euro footy football with their mates are being warned their night could be cut short if they get "bladdered".
A campaign, launched at the Bierkeller this week, used the slogan ‘Drink Less Enjoy More’, and warns bars they will face fines of up to £1,000 if they supply alcoholic beverages to people who are clearly inebriated.
It also encourages young people to cut back on "pre-loading" - that's knocking back a few jars before you even set foot out - as well as how much they consume once they get there.
The initiative is organised by Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police, CitySafe and Liverpool NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and aims to raise awareness of the 2003 Licensing Act, which states it is illegal to:
- Buy alcohol for someone who is clearly drunk
- For bar staff to serve someone who is clearly drunk
Both offences are punishable with a fine of up to £1,000 and premises found to be serving people who are clearly drunk are also at risk of being stripped of their licence – but research shows only half of people are aware of the law.
It features a range of advertising in the engaging, colourful Liverpool lingo, including posters with text conversations between people with names like Dean, Gaz and Ryan to illustrate how their night out could be scuppered if they ignore the law.
“Dean, don’t get too smashed mate! We won’t get served anywhere later”, and “Gonna try and catch the England game at home lads. Gaz is bladdered and they won’t serve us. Nightmare!!!”
Mayoral lead for Community Safety Councillor Emily Spurrell said: “We know that there will be many people getting in the Euro 2016 spirit, and we are just urging them not to drink too much so they have a better and safer night.
“We always see a spike in demand for public services when there is a major sporting event taking place, and it places a huge strain on services such as the police, ambulance staff and hospitals which are already busy."
The council’s Alcohol and Tobacco Unit staff have been running training sessions to support bar staff to confidently refuse service to someone who is clearly drunk. Research carried out by Liverpool John Moores University during a similar campaign last year showed a dramatic increase in the number of people turned away.
Merseyside Police will be actively enforcing the laws in Liverpool City Centre in order to reduce drunkenness.
Chief Superintendent Mark Wiggins said: "The Drink Less Enjoy More scheme isn't aimed at those who drink responsibly - it's there to help identify the small minority of people who have had too much alcohol and could end up being a danger either to themselves or others.
“If you attend a screening event, stay aware and take good care of your belongings. I would also ask that people plan ahead – make sure you know how you’re getting home at the end of the evening.”
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