Identity scanner project for Newquay clubs and bars

Clubs and bars in the Cornish resort of Newquay are being encouraged to install identity scanners.

Devon and Cornwall Police believe the scanners will stop people from using fake IDs.

The scanners can also alert staff to people who have been banned from other clubs, which could help reduce anti-social behaviour.

The scanners, which cost £4,000 or can be leased for about £45 a week, have already been installed at two venues.

The police force has £5,000 from the government's Home Office Innovation Fund to offer small start-up grants to licensees who are willing to install the machines.

Sound alert

Insp Ian Drummond-Smith said the scanners would allow venues to work together.

Data about people with anti-social behaviour orders or banning orders is fed into the scanners by police, providing staff with the information they need to refuse entry.

"It's also a really good way of making sure staff are not inadvertently allowing under-18s into their premises that might have quite a good forgery...and it really does help the licensee protect their licence," Insp Drummond-Smith said.

As well as scanning for valid identities and checking for bans, the scanner will sound an alert if the same ID is used twice and can enlarge photographs to enable staff to check the person presenting the ID is the correct one.