On the door breathalyser tests introduced in Cornwall

21 licensees in Newquay and Truro are taking part in the #RU2drunk scheme, aiming to reduce alcohol related crime.

Each venue is not required to breathalyse every customer, but decide if they think a customer has had too much to drink and pick them out for a test.

Pubs, clubs and bars can set their own limits of acceptable blood alcohol level. Customers above the level will be refused entry.

Cornwall Police has suggested twice the drink drive limit as a ‘reasonable benchmark’ for refused entry.

Over the last 12 months 30.6% of violent crime across Cornwall has been alcohol related and the scheme aims to reduce this by cutting down the number of people ‘pre-loading’. 

Newquay sector inspector Dave Meredith, from Devon and Cornwall Police said: “There has been a massive change over recent years with many people ‘pre-loading’ before going to pubs, bars and clubs and therefore when they arrive at venues they are already drunk.    

“The pilot in Torquay has showed a significant reduction to alcohol related crime, so we hope this can be replicated in Newquay and Truro.” 

The joint scheme between partner agencies, licensed premises and the police and was piloted in Torquay last year and is being funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. 

Police and Crime Commissioner, Tony Hogg said: “The effect of ‘pre-loading’ on our drinking culture, and the subsequent impact on crime levels, is enormous and undeniable.  Innovative schemes like this are one way in which we can help to encourage responsible drinking. 

“We need to reduce the number of people who get seriously drunk at home on cheap alcohol before they go out and then go on to cause trouble in town and city centre establishments later.”

He added it is pleasing that pubs and clubs acknowledge that this scheme will help reduce crime rates.