Police reassure Newquay licensees over summer clampdown

Police in a popular coastal party resort are reassuring licensees their life will be easier when a "ring of steel" is set up to clampdown on underage drinkers this summer.

Devon and Cornwall Police has confirmed it will greet holidaymakers in Newquay with sniffer dogs and plain-clothed officers on the hunt for underage drinkers with stashes of booze.

The move could put off some holidaymakers coming to the town, leading to a downturn in trade for pubs.

But Sgt Ian Drummond-Smith from Devon and Cornwall Police said taking alcohol off youngsters will "make life easier for publicans as there will be less trouble in the town".

He added: "We're targeting specific trains and planes in a way to discourage people from bringing drugs and under- 18s bringing alcohol.

"There have been examples of under-18s bringing in suitcases full of drink and beer."

Ricky Brandham, bar manager of the Central Inn, in Newquay, is not concerned the police operation will put visitors off. But because of the problems, he thinks there is more pressure for publicans to get things right.

"We are doing more training and we teach all our staff the Challenge 21 rules," he said.

"Young people still try to get in all the time. It is hard because we're a big pub so it does happen, but we try to stop it because it only gets you into trouble.

"You see them move onto somewhere else when they don't get in here, or they ask people to buy them drink from the off-licence."

Police and licensees also plan to run alternative underage club nights and sports events to entertain teenagers.