A REVOLUTIONARY identification system that photographs drinkers and takes their fingerprints has proved a success in its first week.

Just So Caf, in Castle Street, Trowbridge, is the first place in the county to introduce the system, Intouch, which aims to target underage drinking and booze-fuelled violence.

Licensee Sue Drew said: "The first weekend went very well. I heard comments like, it's a brilliant idea' and now I don't have to bring my ID out'. I've been very pleased with the reaction.

"There's been more queuing and delays getting in but people didn't seem to mind once they realised what was going on.

"As they were registering we were explaining what was going on and we had a very positive reaction."

She is hoping the success of the system will inspire other pubs and clubs to take part in the scheme so eventually they can all be linked up and share one database.

"The best thing about having them linked is if an incident happens in one establishment then, if the system is used properly, it will flash up in the next place and they won't be let in," she said.

"This way we can eliminate trouble in the whole town centre. It's definitely making it harder for underage drinkers and troublemakers. If anyone else joins up they will be linked to my system so will automatically have all the data logged with them."

The system has other benefits and can be used for marketing purposes as well as recording exactly how many people have visited the bar and at what time.

Ms Drew said last weekend saw about 400 people register and many arrived early to join after reading about the new system in last week's Wiltshire Times.

"I was especially impressed by some of our younger customers. They're pleased they won't have to bring ID here and were asking when it would be in place in other places in the town," she said.

"Many said they had had to replace their ID after losing it on a night out, which isn't cheap, but if they're registered here they'll no longer have to bring it."

How the system works

  • Information is taken from the customer's ID, which has to be a passport, photo driving licence or citizen card and the information can be verified on line.
  • A photograph is taken and finally a fingerprint from the right index finger is scanned onto the system.
  • Each time the customer arrives they scan their finger into the machine and all their information appears.
  • Any incidents or trouble can be added to the database and this will also appear on screen each time the customer has their finger scanned.