Pubs face more sting ops

Around 100 pubs, clubs and shops face legal action for serving drunks and for other offences in the Christmas sting campaign.

Further Government funding for repeat campaigns later this year will also be available.

Chief Inspector Duncan Slade, who helped devise the operation, revealed the news at the National Pubwatch Conference at Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

He said "judicial intervention" was required at about 5% of 2,000 premises that were targeted.

The controversial Responsible Alcohol Sales Campaign (RASC) saw undercover police planted in pubs to search for sales to people who are drunk.

They also checked for other breaches of the Licensing Act, such as drug offences and disorder.

When asked whether extra government cash would be available for similar campaigns, Slade replied: "Yes, there will be more funding."

He said details of funding would not be discussed until the budget is decided in April.

It was also unclear whether future campaigns would mirror RASC or other national campaigns, such as underage stings or confiscation of alcohol from children.

The RASC came under attack from delegates at the conference. British Beer & Pub Association director of pubs and leisure Martin Rawlings said the trade was not given enough notice about it.

"My impression is that there was very little pre-publicity," said Rawlings. "Telling people about it didn't happen in many cases."

Slade replied: "It surprises me that the trade say they need more time to deal with the offence [of sales to drunks]. Is it really the position that nobody can deal with drunkenness?"

Solicitor Jeremy Allen said: "Instead of handing out fixed-penalty notices, why not say training will be provided for that member of bar staff?"

dramatic twist at conference

The National Pubwatch Conference proved to be a real curtain-raiser - thanks to role-plays provided by a theatre company.

Actors from the MOPA Theatre Company showed how not to behave behind the bar when faced with difficult situations. This included being hassled to serve someone who appears to be under 18 and being asked to serve someone who is drunk.

Delegates were also given a lesson on not posting pictures of banned troublemakers in public view.

"It really brought the issues to life and made people think about how they would cope in these difficult but all-too-common situations," said National Pubwatch chairman

Steve Baker.

He added: "This was the best National Pubwatch Conference to date.

"It's fantastic to see licensees working together with police and local authorities with one aim - to encourage a safe drinking environment."