The Isle of Man Constabulary Central Alcohol Unit was formed in 2002. Born out of both the results of the then Chief Ministers Drug & Alcohol strategy of the latter part of the prior decade and the Licensing Amendment Act of 2001, which amongst other amendments, totally removed regulated licensing hours ; the benefits of a dedicated team to forge and maintain links across Government and the hospitality industry on the Island was recognised.
Prior to this time whilst it was, and still is, the responsibility of the various neighbourhood policing teams around the island to visit and build working relationships with the licensed premises in their area the only real contact above that level was that one of the then Prosecution Sergeants would attend the Licensing Courts as and when required.
The newly formed Central Alcohol Unit headed by then Sergeant (later Inspector) Ken Kneale quickly sought out methods of best practice on the Island and beyond and worked to both bolster existing and to establish new links and working partnerships within the hospitality industry, the public and across the breadth of Government.
To this day the original principles established then to keep the community safe remain and form the basis of the work carried out by the Unit these being:-
The Unit is based within the Multi Agency Public Protection Unit at 3rd Floor, The Old Police Station, Lord Street in Douglas, and the team are: Sergeant Alan Shimmin, Constable Dave Trevethan, Constable Beckie O'Brien & Mrs Debbie Bridson.
