Bottle-marking scheme launched in Norden

A scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by underage drinking is to launch in the Norden area of Rochdale.

Three local off-licences so far have signed up to take part in a new initiative that will see alcohol bottles given identifiable permanent markers so the empties can be traced back to where they were bought from.

The idea has been successful in other parts of the country and aims to help identify retailers selling alcohol to under 18s as well as potentially tracking down adults who buy drink on behalf of youngsters.

Andy Glover, Chief Trading Standards Officer for Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Residents in Norden have told us that under-age drinkers are buying alcohol from local off-licences, then getting drunk and causing a nuisance. The council’s Trading Standards team have been working with the police to tackle this – and the bottle-marking scheme is one way we’re hoping to reduce the problem.”

Each off-licence taking part in the scheme will be provided will indelible markers which will be placed on alcohol bottles that are likely to be purchased by young people. This mark will be unique to that particular off-licence.

When the police come across an incident involving under-age drinkers they will be able to identify any bottles and notify Trading Standards. Similarly, any discarded bottles on streets or in parks will be spotted by the council’s street cleaners and reported to the team monitoring the scheme.

Andy Glover added: “This is an innovative scheme designed to tackle an issue of real public concern. We’ll be monitoring the scheme over the coming weeks and would urge the local community to tell us about under-age drinking or locations where there are discarded alcohol bottles.”

For health and safety reasons, members of the public in Norden are advised not to remove bottles but to provide details of their location to Tranding Standards on 01706 924179. To report anti-social behaviour you can call 0845 121 2978.