Chief Constable welcomes Licensed Trade on Island

Roberts rues decline in officers numbers

The Chief Constable has praised the Isle of Man’s licensing trade for its ongoing vigilance and effective working relationship with the Isle of Man Constabulary.

Gary Roberts comments were delivered at the beginning of the triennial sessions of the Licensing Court in Douglas this week.

In acknowledging the problems with drunkenness, the Chief Constable rued the decline in officer numbers within the neighbourhood policing teams  - but highlighted behind-the-scenes work undertaken by the Alcohol Unit as being particularly effective.

Mr Roberts paid tribute to the role played by trade bodies, such as the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, in setting and maintaining high standards.

Pre-loading - or drinking before a night out - was raised as a significant concern in putting people at increased risk, but he believed investment in training was helping staff to deal with issues  of customer safety.

The findings of a report, suggesting young people are beginning to turn away from alcohol, was also welcomed by the police Chief, who also pointed to a decline in offences linked to drunkenness during each of the past three years as a further sign of optimism.

Looking forward he said the government’s forthcoming Substance Misuse Strategy – due to be laid before Tynwald in March – is likely to address the issue of a minimum per unit price for alcohol, and the forthcoming introduction of a new Licensing Act in modernising and streamlining outdated legislation was welcomed.

You can read the Chief Constable’s speech in full online on the Isle of Man Government website.