Ipswich Police together with Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) are jointly implementing the “One 2 Many” Responsible Alcohol Sales Campaign.

The campaign, which has already operated in various other areas across the country, is aimed at helping licensees to develop measures to identify potential problems before they happen. It also promotes the use by the Police and the Council of the powers in the Licensing Act 2003 to monitor and deal with irresponsible sales of alcohol in licensed premises.

The reduction of alcohol-related violent crime is a priority for both Ipswich Police and IBC. Total violent crime April 2007 to March 2008 is down 3.2% compared to the same period of April 2006 to March 2007.

Over the coming months plain-clothes police officers will visit pubs and clubs to observe alcohol sales and deal with any breaches of the Licensing Act.

Inspector Steve Denham, Support Inspector at Ipswich said, “The vast majority of licensed premises and customers act responsibly. It is the behaviour of a small minority that spoil the enjoyment of others who will be targeted by this campaign.”

Mike Grimwood, Licensing and Enforcement Service Manager for IBC said, “We look forward to working with the licensed trade to keep the Ipswich night time economy a safe and vibrant place to visit and are grateful for their continued hard work in helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.”

Under Section 141 of the Licensing Act 2003, it is an offence to sell alcohol to a drunken person. Any person working in licensed premises may be liable for the offence, as well as the Premises Licence Holder and Designated Premises Supervisor. Therefore, it is important that all staff working in alcohol-licensed premises should be aware of signs in a person’s physical behaviour that make it clear that they are drunk. Signs include a noticeable change in behaviour, a lack of judgement, decreased alertness and clumsiness and loss of co-ordination.

The campaign started last weekend and two employees of one establishment (a 34-year-old Ipswich male and a 20-year-old Ipswich female) were issued with £80 penalty notices for selling alcohol to a drunken person. This action will now result in a review of the premise’s licence.