A crackdown on the sale of cheap super-strength booze is due to come into force next week.
Shopkeepers in parts of Cranbrook Road in Ilford have voluntarily agreed to stop selling high-strength beer, lager and cider from August 19, as part of an effort to curb street-drinking and anti-social behaviour in the area.
Cllr Ross Hatfull, cabinet member for community safety and enforcement, met with shopkeepers yesterday to officially launch the ban.
Last month, the Recorder visited the town’s off-licences and found the majority selling single cans of super-strength drinks, containing more than 6.5 per cent alcohol.
Nine per cent lager was readily available, with some retailers selling 7.5 per cent and white cider for as little as 99p.
A single 500ml can of nine per cent lager contains 4.5 units of alcohol, in excess of the recommended daily intake for a man.
Ilford town centre has been designated a cumulative impact zone, granting the council greater powers to combat sales of the drinks.
Any retailer applying for a licence to sell alcohol will be prevented from selling strong beer and cider while those with existing licences face having their opening hours cut if they are selling the products to people who appear drunk.
A spokesman for Redbridge Police said: “Excessive consumption of these drinks can lead to health problems for the individual, make them vulnerable to various types of crime and lead to anti-social behaviour and community issues.”
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