Scanners help stop underage drinking

Pubs are turning to new technology in an attempt to weed out underage drinkers attempting to enter licensed premises.

New ID scan machines are being used to verify the authenticity of identity cards used by youngsters to prove their age. The machines are able to read information on proof of age cards, passports and driving licences, and check them against authenticated versions held on a special database.

One licensee Nick Hogan of The Swan, Churchgate, who trailed the scanner last weekend, said the experiment had been a resounding success. "On Saturday night the machine detected two fraudulent cards which resulted in two people being banned from the premises.

"We were able to identify a third person involved in an incident inside the pub and he has also been barred," revealed Hogan. He added: "Apart from detecting fraudulent cards it also has significant marketing devices because it means we know the identity and type of people

coming into our premises."

The machine costs £140 a month to rent but Hogan says he now plans to purchase his own ID scanner at a cost of £4,100, which he says will be money well spent.

Chairman of the Proof Of Age Standards Scheme Robert Humphreys said scanners were increasingly being used to detect forged cards: "We are aware of

this scheme, which demonstrates the hi-tech measures currently available to check

identification.

"The only questions we would actually raise are the relative high cost and the issue of personal liberty if pubs and clubs are going to hold this type of information about their customers," he said.