Police in Sheffield supported by night club owners have launched a pilot scheme to introduce the Alcoblow meter.
The device can detect alcohol on a person’s breath by simply blowing across the top of the device for two seconds. The system allows a reading to be taken of the level of alcohol on a person’s breath. There is no physical contact made with the unit, meaning that it can be used several times without risk of contamination.
The devices were introduced in Sheffield on Saturday, April 4 at the 02 Academy under 18s event. Around 30 teenagers were refused entry to the club after alcohol was detected on their breath. The alcoblow meters will continue to be used at all future under 18s events, everyone attending the events will be asked to blow into the device as a condition of entry.
Insp Neil Mutch from the City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "The Alcoblow device is a fantastic tool to help us and door staff deal with underage drinking and issues of alcohol antisocial behaviour that is sometimes linked with these events.
"The intention of this scheme is to prevent any person under 18, with traces of alcohol in their system entering strictly alcohol free events and concerts. Anyone who is detected with alcohol on their breath will be refused entrance. We want to reassure parents that their kids will be enjoying a safe environment when they come to the city centre clubs for these events."
Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Licensing Team will be liaising with night club owners to buy the devises to assist door staff, in detecting youngsters trying to gain entry to the club whilst in drink.
