The new rules- dubbed 'No Print, No Pint'- are being considered as a step to curb drunken violence in the area.
Speaking about the new rules, inspector Neal Donohue from Romford Police told DailyStar: ‘I believe most of our night-time patrons would welcome a safer environment in the knowledge police and licensees are working together to ensure we limit the number of people entering our licensed premises who are involved in violence, theft and drugs.’
Many are concerned that the practice of taking customers’ fingerprints will affect their privacy and have even suggested that it goes against their rights.
Nick Pickles from Big Brother Watch said: ‘In reality, this system has the potential to track people's socialising - irrespective of whether they cause problems or not.’
One customer, 42-year-old John Griffins, told the newspaper: ‘I want to be able to drink anywhere without having to provide a set of fingerprints… This kind of move threatens our rights.’
59-year-old Paul Gilligan said: ‘It is a complete invasion of privacy. It is like Orwell's 1984 as they are spying on us.’
With the new series of TOWIE kicking off, we might be seeing the likes of Joey Essex being asked to provide finger print stamps before entering their local haunts.