A CLAMPDOWN on selling alcohol to people who are already drunk has been extended to shops, pubs and clubs across Tendring.

The move comes following the launch of the campaign in Clacton earlier this year and it has now been extended to the rest of the district.

It also come with the warning that premises will lose their licence if they do not comply.

The Tending Community Safety Partnership Hub has begun to send its message further afield in a bid to tackle the on-going issue.

Tendring Council’s Licensing Enforcement Officers visited various premises in Harwich.

They have also given out posters to be displayed along with pre-printed cards which licensees can hand out to their customers explaining why they have refused to sell them alcohol.

The aim of the posters and cards is to help diffuse what can be a difficult and tense situation for staff in shops and pubs when people are being refused.

Mark Cossens, who is the chairman of Tendring Council’s licensing and registration committee, said Tendring is thankfully a safe place to live and visit.

But he added: “We want our alcohol licensed premises in Tendring to sell alcohol responsibly and their customers to enjoy themselves but they should drink sensibly as well and recognise when they have had enough.

“Equally we do not want them to take it out on shop staff and bar staff who are only doing their job and carrying out what the law requires them to do by not selling alcohol to someone who is drunk.

“Responsible retailers will know that it is an offence to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk and a pub or shop could end up losing their alcohol licence by doing so.”

Insp Darren Deex of Essex Police praised the initiative.

He said: “I’m delighted the Tendring Community Safety Hub partnership is able to send this message out to all of our alcohol licensed premises.

“Working together as partnership through the Community Safety Hub means that we are able to pool scarce resources to help keep our residents and our visitors safe."