Home Office launches Christmas alcohol campaign

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: The Home Office has launched a month-long campaign today (November 30) targeting retailers that sell alcohol to underage drinkers and routinely breach licensing laws.

The 250,000 'Responsible Alcohol Sales Campaign' kicks off today (Friday) and, along with looking to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence in the run-up to Christmas, will also target proxy sales.

The Home Office said that plain clothed police officers will be visiting poorly managed premises with a history of alcohol-related violence, crime and disorder.

Minister Vernon Coaker said the campaign looked to "get tough" with the few irresponsible retailers continuing to flout the law.

He said: "I know the alcohol industry has done a great deal recently to train staff and to promote the Challenge 21 policy, and I welcome that. This campaign is designed to complement those efforts by stamping out underage sales and forcing irresponsible retailers to raise their game."

This summer over 3,000 off-licences, pubs and clubs were subject to underage test purchase operations by police and Trading Standards Officers. Premises that repeatedly sold alcohol to minors had their licenses revoked.

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