PUB landlords have decided to call time on under-age drinkers with the adoption of a national proof-of-age card.
Members of Otley and District Pubwatch - backed by Otley Community Policing Team - have adopted the Government's Citizen Card, to ensure
cigarettes and alcohol are not sold to
children.
Bar staff in the town will ask pub goers to present the card as proof of age.
The cards cost £5 each and application forms are available from Prince Henry's Grammar School, which is also keen to see under-age drinking and smoking stamped out. Once the scheme is up-and-running, the Citizen Card - along with driving licences and passports - will be the only form of identification accepted by licensees in Otley. PC Heidi Beardsmore, of Otley Community Policing Team, said: "The problem of under-age drinking can be found in any town or city where there is an obvious link between the sale of alcohol and anti-social behaviour.
"Licensees cannot always identify the age of young drinkers so this card should help alleviate the problem."
Pubwatch secretary and landlady of The Bay Horse pub Margaret Marsden, said she wanted as many young people to apply for the cards as possible. She said: "We want to do something to try and stop under-age drinking. The problem we
have at the moment is that we have no proof."
All Pubwatch memvers have signed up to the scheme, and are supported by other pubs and off-licences.
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