The Castlederg Off-Licence Code of Practice, launched this week, has been developed to highlight and set local standards for the socially responsible sale of alcohol and to highlight to underage drinkers, in particular, that they will not be permitted to buy alcohol.
This initiative, led by Strabane Community Safety Partnership, was piloted last year in Strabane, and is aimed at helping to tackle alcohol and health-related issues.
In signing up to the Code of Practice, licensees agree to a range of principles that will ensure best practice in off-sales.
Staff will not sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 and will ask for identification from anyone not known to be over 18 and who looks or appears to be under 21. Staff members will also question anyone buying large amounts of alcohol on more than one occasion in one day to avoid purchases being made for underage drinkers.
Furthermore, licensees are agreeing that alcohol will not be sold to drunk people; and that staff will liaise with appropriate officials in maintenance of the code.
A coloured bag scheme will also form part of this initiative. Each off-licence will receive a quantity of coloured bags. This means PSNI officers will be able to identify if underage people are purchasing alcohol themselves.
Each off-licence will receive information and advice to help them use the Code of Practice. This will include:
* A "retailer guide" which outlines legislation in Northern Ireland and provides guidelines and advice for staff on what they can and cannot do legally;
* Posters to publicise that they have agreed to sign up to the Code of Practice and to identify the four types of ID that are acceptable; passport, driver licence, electoral card or citizen card.
* A "guide for customers" which highlights legislation in Northern Ireland; that this off-licence has signed up to a code of practice and the health risks associated with alcohol misuse.
Welcoming the initiative, Cllr Ivan Barr, chairman of Strabane Community Safety Partnership, said, "Alcohol misuse and underage drinking are cultural problems that affect us all individually, within our families and in our communities. We have all come across community safety issues such as alcohol-related crime, disorder and health issues that in some cases cause minor annoyance and in other cases severe misery.
"I would like to commend those off-licences for agreeing to sign up to this scheme. This is a voluntary scheme and, by agreeing to sign up, they are helping to address the problem of underage drinking in Castlederg.
"This alone will not solve the problem of alcohol misuse in the District, however Strabane Community Safety Partnership are delighted to be part of something that will hopefully have a significant impact on addressing anti-social behavior associated with alcohol fuelled crime in Castlederg."
Off-licences who have signed up to the Code of Practice are Gallens Bar, The Corner Bar, The Derg Arms, The Castle Inn, Mickey Joe's Bar, The Anglers Inn, The Town House Bar, Blacktown Arms, The Crescent Inn and The Sportsman's Inn.
This latest initiative is one of a series of being developed by Strabane Community Safety Partnership. Alcohol related problems rate highly in the list of priorities for the CSP and this initiative represents another milestone in ensuring a safer and vibrant community.
By securing commitment from local traders to sign up to the Code of Practice we are reducing the risk of illegal access to alcohol and helping to promote a message that alcohol should be consumed responsibly.
