London clubs use breathalysers to refuse entry

London clubbers may have to remain sober to gain entry to nightclubs in future, as door staff use breathalysers to refuse entry to those over the limit.

London clubbers may need to forgo drinking altogether to ensure they gain entry to nightclubs in the capital

Introduced as part of a Metropolitan police scheme to crack down on aggressive, alcohol-related behaviour, the breath test will give door staff a clear reading if clubbers are intoxicated before entry.

Currently being trialled in Romford and Croydon, door staff are using the devices to refuse entry to anyone more than twice England’s legal drink-drive limit, which is currently 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.

Chief Inspector Gary Taylor told the Evening Standard: “In the past door staff would get involved in long arguments with people who were refused entry. People who were arguing with staff were more likely to accept the results of the breathalyser.”

The breathalysers were introduced to Croydon this weekend (30 January), and will be rolled out to other parts of London if successful.

A spokesperson for the police confirmed the trial has so far had “positive results”, and reported that venues are in full support of using breathalysers on the door.

According to Drink Aware, there is currently “no fool-proof way of drinking and staying under the limit”, with factors affecting the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood including weight, age, gender and stress levels.

If use of breathalysers by door staff becomes widespread, it could lead to a decline in on-trade sales in the capital as clubbers avoid drinking to gain club entry later in the evening.