WSTA and Crimestoppers to combat illicit alcohol

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) and independent charity Crimestoppers have launched an appeal to eradicate knock-off alcohol in Manchester this Christmas.

The appeal is looking to highlight the dangers of fake alcohol, with illegal sales costing the UK around £1.2 billion per year.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of both illicit and counterfeit alcohol by asking local people to contact the charity anonymously with information on those producing, supplying or selling the products.

Wholesalers that sell alcohol to other businesses have to register for HMRC’s Alcohol Wholesale Registration Scheme, with the scheme aiming to stop illegal alcohol, where duty has not been paid, entering the supply chain to retailers – the shops, pubs, restaurants and other outlets that sell to consumers. Retailers will have to buy from approved wholesalers from April 2017.

While illicit alcohol can create financial implications for local shops, counterfeit products in circulation could contain dangerous chemicals including bleach, methanol, computer screenwash, nail polish remover and anti-freeze, all of which have been found to be in counterfeit alcohol.

The side effects have seen consumers blacking out, left bed bound for days, and even having blurred vision and temporary loss of sight.

Gary Murray, north west regional manager for Crimestoppers, said: “Illegal alcohol might not be seen as a serious problem to some, especially if it means they save a bit of money.

“But imagine if your local shop closed down due to loss of earnings because someone was undercutting them by selling illicit alcohol, or someone you know became ill because of cheap counterfeit booze that had harmful chemicals in it. It then becomes a problem for you.

“Crimestoppers takes information anonymously, and we’d appreciate your help in telling us who is supplying or producing illegal alcohol so we can clean our streets of this dodgy drink.”