FROM tonight, pub and club-goers deemed too drunk will be breathalysed at venues in Weymouth.

As part of a joint scheme by Dorset Police and Weymouth Pub Watch, licensed premises across the town will begin breathalysing punters in a bid to cut down on alcohol-related crime.

The #RU2DRUNK initiative aims to tackle the culture of ‘pre-drinking’ in which a growing number of people consume excessive amounts of shop-bought alcohol at home before going out.

Twenty-nine premises in the town centre have signed up to use the breathalysers as part of a three-month pilot that will be monitored by leading sociologists from the University of Exeter.

Weymouth Neighbourhood Inspector Pete Browning said: “By trying this scheme we can begin to change that ‘pre-loading’ culture. We are not trying to stop people having fun, we want to benefit the night-time economy of the town whilst reducing alcohol related crime and making sure people get home safely.”

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Weymouth BID have equally funded the machines at a cost of £250 each.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill is due to appear on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning to discuss the roll out of the scheme.

Nikki Smith, manager at Aura bar on the Esplanade, said: “We thought it would be a good idea to get involved with the scheme because it might stop fights. We wont use it on everybody who seems drunk, there will need to be a reason like showing signs of aggressive behaviour, we don’t want to stop people coming in and having a good time.”

Whilst venues have been told that setting the alcohol limit and refusing entry is to be their discretion, police have suggested three times the drink drive limit as a recommended guideline.

Dorset Police are replicating two previous pilot schemes in Torquay and Norfolk that have so far proved effective.

PC Holly Damen, who has set up the project, said: “The benefits are multiple. Results from Torquay show police experienced a 39 per cent reduction in alcohol-related crime.We also hope to reduce the demand on the ambulance service and the number of people admitted to Accident and Emergency.”

As well as limiting violence in the town, landlords are hoping the breathalysers could be good for business.

Keith Treggiden, Chairman of Pub Watch in Weymouth, added: “Pubs, clubs and bars bear the brunt of the issues associated with people coming out late, having already consumed large amounts of alcohol at home. It makes businesses more vulnerable, with poor trade as a result of excessive pre-drinking imposing the threat of closure.This scheme will benefit premise owners, as well as all those who are seeking to enjoy their evenings.”