PUBWATCH is wishing all licensees and customers a happy Christmas. The all-Island committee has linked up with the police Central Alcohol Unit to produce a series of posters with the aim of reminding staff and drinkers to act responsibly during the festive season. The poster campaign will be launched in licensed premises this week. In the first wave, pub goers will be urged not to get ‘plastered’ and end up in hospital. Women will be encouraged not to let alcohol cloud their judgement and risk a sexual assault. The third poster reminds licensees and bar staff to be wary of oversupplying customers and warns of the potential consequences that could result if they do including a criminal record, fine, loss of licence and income. All Island Pubwatch Chairman Steve McDowell explained: ‘Running up to Christmas, Pubwatch thought it was timely to send a message out to licensees and customers on the Island about the risks of oversupply and over consumption, and the potential consequences. 'As drinking habits have changed it is getting more and more difficult to manage licensed premises. Many people drink before they come out making it tricky for licensees to gauge their level of inebriation. This campaign reminds them to be vigilant and take extra care and also serves to advise customers that it's in their best interests to stop if the licensee decides they've had enough, so we can all can have a happy Christmas.' Sergeant Steve Maddocks of the Central Alcohol Unit said: ‘From a policing point of view, licensing standards in the Isle of Man are high and this campaign highlights the stance the trade are taking. Its aim is to remind individuals there are legal requirements the licensing trade have to comply with but ultimately people have to take responsibility for their own consumption of alcohol. 'Throughout the Christmas period there will be police patrols that focus on the pubs and clubs as usual at weekends. We want people to have an enjoyable Christmas but also to remain safe.' The Pubwatch Christmas campaign was welcomed by Home Affairs Department Member with responsibility for the Drug and Alcohol Strategy, Bill Malarkey MHK. He said: 'Drinking excessively is harmful to health so anything that makes people think twice before having an extra glass has to be a good thing. The fact this campaign is initiated by licensees for the benefit of their fellow licensees and their customers is praiseworthy. ' Pubwatch is the licensed trade’s equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch and is aimed at promoting responsible drinking in a safe environment. It was introduced in the Isle of Man in 2001 following the creation of the Constabulary’s Central Alcohol Unit and operates five separate schemes – Douglas and Onchan, Northern, Western, Southern and Laxey and Lonan. Over 120 local premises have voluntarily signed up to Pubwatch and members hold regular meetings to discuss matters arising within their own areas. In October 2009, the regional Pubwatch committees joined forces to form All-Island Pubwatch, which can extend regional bans barring problem drinkers from their premises to an all-Island ban that is also extended to nightclubs through a partnership with MENA (Manx Entertainment and Nightclub Association). PC Steve Stanley of the Central Alcohol Unit said: 'I've been in the police for 22 years and have several times been called on to deal with the consequences of excessive drinking. It can cost people's lives. 'About 10 years ago I came across one man who was extremely lucky not to have been killed as a result of being drunk and incapable. It was about 3am and I was on patrol in a police van driving extremely slowly checking side lanes when I came to a crossroads and saw a dark object in the road. It turned out to be a young man who thought he was in his own bed when I managed to wake him. The potential for tragedy is obvious, had I driven through there responding to an emergency or even if a taxi had driven over him at normal speed it could have resulted in life changing injuries or a fatality.' ENDS