Broxbourne Bottlewatch Scheme

The Broxbourne Bottlewatch Scheme was launched in July 2009 by Broxbourne Council and the Police, to assist in reducing the sale to and consumption of alcohol by underage people from off-licences. The scheme has been successful in other parts of the country helping to reduce anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and alcohol-related offences.

The scheme is voluntary for licensees, who will be provided with a list of the drinks most commonly consumed by young people. This list is regularly reviewed and updated by the police. Licensees are asked to use tamperproof stickers on cans and bottles with unique reference numbers, so that confiscated alcohol can be traced back to the place it was sold. Posters will also be displayed explaining that the store is part of the scheme.

This simple but effective idea allows the licensee or sales assistant to easily refuse an underage person by pointing out that the drink can be traced back to the point of sale. This also allows the shop to tackle people who are thought to be proxy purchasing for the youths. Proxy purchasing is when adults buy alcohol on behalf of minors.

Any licensed premises wishing to to join should contact PC Mel Perryman on 01992 533811 or Broxbourne Council’s community safety team on 01992 785555 or email community.safety@broxbourne.gov.uk.