Pubs get it in the neck again from the constabulary while the cost-cutting ultra-cheap booze merchant supermarkets don't get a mention

North Devon licensees say police are unfairly blaming them for alcohol-related problems in towns - while the cost-cutting supermarkets avoid similar scrutiny, the Journal reports.

Many landlords blame cheap booze deals at supermarkets for an increase over the past decade in severe drunkenness in the street, particularly among underage drinkers.

But the police are targeting nightspots which offer cheap promotional drinks offers in a new campaign.

Paul Netherton, the assistant chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police, has written thus to licensees: “We will take the strongest action possible against premises where promotions encourage people to drink as much as they like for a nominal fee.”

Under the Licensing Act 2003 police can close premises and seek a review of their licence if they are seen to be contributing to crime and disorder.

Barnstaple nightclub Toko offers various promotions, including three-for-one and 99p a drink offers. But staff at the club say they are extremely responsible licensees. They blame cheap supermarket alcohol for most of the problems.

Steven Ridge, manager of Toko, said: “We have very few incidents here and the vast majority of customers behave well and are simply looking for somewhere to have a good night out.

"We provide a safe environment for this and on the small number of occasions where people have had too much to drink, we will refuse to serve them and offer bottles of water instead and where possible help them get a taxi home.

"Most people, especially during these tough economic times, will drink to excess at home having bought alcohol from a supermarket — and once they are in the club we have to deal with the mess.

"I think this police clamp down is a good idea and hope to work closely with them to promote its success.”

Kevin Constantine, owner of both the Queen’s Tardis Bar and Chinese Whisper’s nightclub in Ilfracombe, also believes cheap supermarket alcohol is to blame.

He said: “You can walk into any supermarket and buy as much cheap alcohol as you like. If someone wants to get drunk they will do so — price doesn’t make any difference. We are currently in the process of putting our prices up and as of next week, when new owners take over, the cheapest pint will be £2.”

Kirsty Cresswell is the manager of Quigley’s Custom House in Bideford where between 4pm and 7pm a pint of lager costs £1.79 and cocktails are on a two-for-one offer.

Kirsty also believes licensing restrictions should apply to supermarkets as well as pubs. She said: “For the price of a pint in Quigley’s you can get six cans of lager at a supermarket — why aren’t they being policed like this?

"The current generation of 18 to 25-year-olds have more of a binge drinking culture than previous years. Most will drink at home, necking a lot of alcohol in a short space of time, then come to us and we are having to turn more and more people away at the door for being too drunk. Our drinks offers are monitored closely by our staff and door men and we support this police clamp down.”