AlcoholWatch - how the scheme works

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The scheme involves the application of individual numbers of AlcoholWatch stickers to each and every bottle of cheap or popular drink. When these bottles are found or seized it means it can be traced back by the number on the sticker to the shop that sold it.

Once on, the Alcoholwatch stickers cannot be removed. Angelscope, who developed the stickers, trialed many stickers before creating one that is indestructible. This means that they can be used as irrefutable evidence, should any off-licences be taken to court.

A Community Support Officer co-ordinates the scheme in each area. They make frequenet visits to off-licences to check that they are using the stickers correctly and have enough in stock.

When CSOs, Council staff and police officers find discardrd bottles or seize bottles from young people or street-drinkers, incidents are logged and recorded.  This information is used to identify shops who are selling to young people, or those buying on behalf of young people or street-drinkers. The police use this intelligence to take action against any shops, either by direct discussions, surveillance operations or court action.

The scheme also deters young people from attempting to buy alcohol from these shops as they know they will be refused. It also stops many adults from buying alcohol on behalf of young people.