3 July 2008 Beach Party Cancels In The Face Of Alcohol Ban Enforcement

3 July 2008

Beach Party cancels in the face of 'unprecedented' alcohol Ban

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Police officers and council in Torbay have caused a beach party to be cancelled after placing a blanket ban on alcohol sales - the first of its kind under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003. The event was promoted as a "night of mayhem" beach party for 10,000 people organised on the social networking site Facebook.

Officers in Torbay, Devon, say that thousands were expected to gather at one of five possible beaches for the mass party at the weekend.

Described as a "night of mayhem" the exact location and time was not to be posted until hours beforehand, prompting the police to use the licensing laws to blanket ban alcohol sales over a wide geographical area.

Superintendent Chris Singer said: "The event is likely to cause disruption and difficulty for our community. The supply and consumption of alcohol would add to those difficulties.

"It may therefore be necessary for me to apply to magistrates to instigate the provisions of Section 160 of the Licensing Act 2003.

"I fully understand making the order would be an unprecedented step, and one which would not be taken unless fully justified."

Over 7,000 youngsters had confirmed their attendance and police said the number would have been likely to rocket to 10,000 before it takes place between 4 and 6 July.

But licensees in the area said that banning alcohol on one of the busiest weekends of the year would be "catastrophic" for retailers.

Brian Harris, who runs The Yacht pub in Torquay, told the Telegraph: "Any ban will annihilate trade which is already struggling."

From: Night Online

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