Shop told to help battle against yobs

Costcutter on St James’ Road in Orrell was granted a new licence last week but town hall officers have imposed a number of conditions.

They include keeping an “incident diary” to help police officers investigate any severe outbreaks of ASB and staff will be trained to identify when adults are being used to buy alcohol for underage drinkers.

The strict conditions have been imposed because the store - which has opening hours until 10pm - is in an area which has been blighted by the actions of youth gangs.

And residents attended last week’s town hall meeting to stress the importance of a crackdown on nuisance behaviour before councillors deliberated on the licence bid.

Documents relating to the licensing meeting read: “The premises is to maintain a refusals book to record the details of incidents where a member of staff has refused to sell alcohol to a person suspected of being under the age of 18.

“Any person who is authorised to sell alcohol at the premises shall be trained in ways to recognise a proxy sale.”

Shop owners have been requested to keep CCTV records for a minimum of 28 days as one of the conditions requested by Greater Manchester Police and borough Trading Standards officers.

Costcutter’s incident book will have to record incidents of violence or disorder, drug related crimes on the premises or call-outs for the police.

The shop will operate a “challenge 25” policy meaning anyone attempting to buy alcohol will be asked to provide identification if they appear below the age of 25 to clampdown on underage sales.