London, Dec 1 (ANI): With the festive season just round the corner, a handbook has been passed to British police officers who are tasked with keeping order, which would help them spot a drunk.

A few ways of telling whether a person is drunk or not include rambling conversation, flirtatiousness, unsteadiness on the feet or even, in extreme cases, falling asleep at the bar.

The Home Office has set the guidelines in a written guide and sent it out, at taxpayers’ expense, to an army of undercover officers due to spend the run up to Christmas incognito at the local areas.

Their task will be to spot a drunk and then fine the bar staff if they continue to supply any more alcohol.

However, landlords have ridiculed the guide.

The Licensed Victuallers’ Association said that the whole matter is ridiculous.

“It seems ridiculous that a trained police officer needs help in identifying someone who is drunk, the Daily Mail quoted the association, as saying.

“If you apply all these guidelines in the average pub any customer could be classified as drunk. It is another example of bureaucrats who seem to need a stiff drink themselves, the association added.

The guide is being issued to 90 police units across the country taking part in the pre-Christmas “Responsible Sales of Alcohol Campaign”, which started on Nov 30.

The undercover officers will mingle in pubs and issue 80 pounds fixed penalties to staff who knowingly sell alcohol to someone who is too drunk.

Apparently, the aim of the guidelines, is to present such compelling physical evidence of the person’s level of intoxication that it would be impossible for a court to accept that the person who conducts the sale did not know of this fact.

David Wine, licensee at the Six Bells in Felsham, Suffolk, said: This is an absolute nonsense.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: “With nearly half of all violent incidents involving alcohol, the majority of people who drink responsibly will welcome any police action designed to make our streets safer.

“We are not spoiling people’s fun. We are getting tough with those few irresponsible retailers that continue to flout the law, Coaker added. (ANI)