Chief Constable Gary Roberts is calling on the Manx Government to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol.

Presenting his triennial report to the licensing court, the Chief Constable said he had considerable sympathy with the trade over 'pre-loading', where drinkers, particularly young people, get drunk at home before visiting licensed premises late at night.

He said: 'The Constabulary frequently encounters young people who are very drunk because they have consumed large quantities of alcohol before they have even attempted to enter licensed premises. This type of drinking is dangerous and it exposes people to real risk of harm.

'Significantly it can lay open licence holders and their staff to sanctions if they do not properly assess the state of inebriation of the people they are serving. It is not at all easy for them, but they have an absolute duty to get this right.'

Mr Roberts said a significant factor in pre-loading is the price of alcohol.He said: 'It is far, far cheaper to drink at home than it is to drink in licensed premises, especially those that open late at night. To an extent, therefore, I can understand why people indulge in this practice.

'However, I believe the time has now come for the government to consider introducing some form of minimum pricing per unit of alcohol. The benefits of minimum unit pricing would likely be considerable, in terms of public health and in terms of reducing demand on the police. In the Isle of Man there would also likely be an increase in activity in the on-trade and a vibrant, healthy, well run night time economy is a good thing.'

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