This in from the police, in their own words. Ed
The Government is banning the sale of alcohol below the cost of duty plus VAT. The legislation will prevent businesses from selling alcohol at heavily discounted prices and aims to reduce excessive alcohol consumption and its associated impact on health issues and alcohol related crime.
Businesses will have to ensure that prices are accurate on shelves, barcodes, menus and price lists, where appropriate. The legislation will also supersede any pre-printed prices on alcohol packaging.
Bulk sales still allowed
Businesses can continue to sell bulk items of alcohol, such as multipacks of beer or ready-to-drink products, but each will need to be sold above the aggregate of the permitted price of each product in it.
The legislation will be enforced by local authorities including licensing authorities, Trading Standards and the police.
Hampshire Constabulary spokesman, Superintendent Stuart Murray said:
“We welcome this new legislation and the impact we anticipate that it will have on crime figures across the force area. Issues like anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking are a big concern for communities across Hampshire and this new pricing structure for alcohol will help to address some of them at the point of sale.
“We will be active in enforcing the legislation across the force area and will be actively engaging with licensees and partner agencies to ensure that it is adhered to.”
