Reducing the Strength is a voluntary scheme which encourages off-licenses to stop selling cheap, super-strength beers and lagers and ciders that are above 6.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV). For example Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire Police have been working together to gain the support of local businesses, to help improve public health and protect the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Some off-licenses in the town are already making changes to cut down the availability of high strength alcoholic drinks.
It’s hoped that the scheme will work towards reducing crime and help to create a town centre where people feel safe to visit – a key objective of the Town Centre Plan.
It will also support the local Public Spaces Protection Order, (PSPO), which makes antisocial behaviour a criminal offence and provides explicit provision to address the consumption of alcohol in designated public spaces.
Councillor Roy Miller, Barnsley Council Cabinet Spokesperson for Place said: “This is a good initiative and we hope that off-licenses get behind it. We know that anti-social behaviour is an issue in the town centre, but we are addressing this and looking at different ways to do it. The scheme, combined with other measures such as the PSPO, increased enforcement presence and the new CCTV cameras in Peel Square and the Alhambra underpass all contribute to providing a Better Barnsley.
“It’s not just anti-social behaviour; it’s also about the significant health benefits that reducing the strength of alcoholic drinks offers, and supports one of our long term public health outcomes of residents living longer healthier lives”.
Retailers involved in similar schemes across the country report a reduction in alcohol related incidents and reported a number of benefits, which include happier customers, less verbal abuse and assaults on staff, improved community relations and less shoplifting.
