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Fingerprint booze buster is a hit
A high-tech fingerprint scanner is proving a huge hit in tackling underage drinking in Chorley.
Staff at Bargain Booze in Pall Mall, Chorley, use biometric fingerprint scanners to avoid youngsters buying booze and so far around 400 customers have signed up to an electronic database since it was introduced in August.
Owner Chris Bury has also had the scanners installed at his off-licence on Chorley Road, Adlington, saying it's dramatically reduced abuse and violence against employees.
"It's been extremely successful and it's not only helped with cracking down on underage drinking," he said.
"The abuse has gone down a lot and there's not been any swearing or aggressive behaviour against my staff, for example, when someone who doesn't look old enough has forgotten their ID.
"One of the main advantages is that people only have to show their ID once and after that all they need is their fingerprint.
"It's completely confidential and there's no name or address associated to the fingerprint, so we don't need to store personal information."
Once a member of staff checks a valid form of ID - such as a passport or driving licence - the fingerprint will be added to a database so they can be identified in future when they try to buy alcohol or cigarettes.
Mr Bury added: "We have only had the biometric system in Adlington for three or four weeks and we have registered around 80 people already.
"I think it should be introduced in any premises in Chorley that sells alcohol, be it a pub or an off-licence.
"It helps you to protect your licence because it's one of the best ways of keeping under-age teenagers who look a bit older from buying drink for themselves or for others.
"We've had positive comments about it from a lot of customers and from HM Customs and Excise."
The technology in use at Mr Bury's two off-licences was developed by North West based OK I.D.
Peter Verhaege, of the Pubwatch scheme, said: "Any measures to prevent young people from buying alcohol illegally should be welcomed.
"It is encouraging that 400 people have signed up to the scheme and it means that they are actively adopting the right measures to buy alcohol."
Chorley MP and Adlington resident Lindsay Hoyle said he supported any initiative that reduced underage drinking and attacks on off-licence staff.
"We'd had problems in Adlington with under-age drinking, especially on the recreation ground," said the MP. "One of the problems is when over 18s buy booze for youngsters however this voluntary scheme is definitely a step forward."
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Weather for Chorley
Saturday 04 February 2012
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