Around 100 premises face action after drunks sting
Around 100 pubs, clubs and shops face legal action for serving drunks and other offences in the Christmas sting campaign.
Further Government funding for repeat campaigns later this year will also be available.
Chief Inspector Duncan Slade, who helped devise the operation, revealed the news at the National Pubwatch Conference yesterday.
He said "judicial intervention" was required at around 5% of 2,000 premises that were targeted.
The controversial Responsible Alcohol Sales Campaign (RASC) saw undercover police planted in pubs to search for sales to people who are drunk.
They also checked for other breaches of the Licensing Act, such as drug offences and disorder.
When asked whether extra Government cash would be available for similar campaigns, Slade replied: "Yes, there will be more funding."
He said details of funding we not be discussed until the budget is decided in April.
It was also unclear whether future operations would mirror RASC or other national campaigns, such as underage stings or confiscation of alcohol from children.
The campaign came in for attack by delegates.
British Beer and Pub Association director of pubs and leisure Martin Rawlings said the trade was not given enough notice about it.
"My impression is that there was very little pre-publicity," said Rawlings. "Telling people about it didn't happen in many cases."
Slade replied: "It surprises me that the trade say they need more time to deal with the offence [of sales to drunks]. Is it really the position that nobody can deal with drunkenness?"
Solicitor Jeremy Allen said: "Instead of handing out fixed penalty notices, why not say training is provided for that member of bar staff?"
