The government could be set to launch an anti-drunkenness campaign before the end of the year, which would target pubs found to be serving drunk people..
Under the plan, undercover police officers could enter licensed premises and issue fixed penalty notices to operators and customers who appear to be inebriated, according to Popplestone Allen Licensing Solicitors.
The project, which is currently being trialled in Blackpool is set to run from November through to Christmas and would be funded by the Home Office.
The industry has however criticised the potential campaign saying that it would threaten licensed premises.
Graeme Cushion, licensing solicitor at Poppleston Allen, said: “It is very difficult to see that there would be any great sense in conducting such a campaign.
“Surely licensed premises are exactly the sort of environment where people should be able to consume a reasonable amount of alcohol without fear of adverse consequences.
“They are, after all, in the care of the people who have been properly trained to the standards required by the Licensing Act 2003 in ensuring the safety of them and others in the premises.
”The situation would be even worse if individuals were to be issued with fixed penalty notices with no regard being given to the amount of time which has elapsed since the last time they actually purchased a drink in the premises.”
