Humphreys: Newquay ID scheme misguided

An agreement between a council-backed trade group and authorities in Newquay not to accept PASS-accredited ID cards is "misguided, misinformed and discriminatory".

That's according to Robert Humphreys, chairman of the PASS proof-of-age scheme, who said: "We are making representations and we are very concerned."

The Newquay Association of Licensed Premises (NALP), which is co-ordinated by the local council, has agreed to only accept driving licences and passports as valid ID at a meeting of the council and police-backed Newquay Safe group.

It's part of a wide-ranging strategy to deal with high-profile problems of alcohol-related disorder and underage drinking in the Cornish resort.

Humphreys said the move discriminates against young adults who can't afford a driving licence. These are unlikely to be wealthy young people from outside the area who are seen as the main cause of problems, he explained.

Humphreys added: "I've seen no evidence suggesting it will help solve the problems they've identified. It's misguided, misinformed and discriminatory."

The MA has left a message with the NALP but has not yet received a response.