Shops hit in under-age drink crackdown

12:43pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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A JOINT operation between Trading Standards and West Mercia Constabulary has found several retailers wanting when it comes to selling alcohol to minors.

On Tuesday evening (August 26), officers from both organisations used a 16-year old girl to attempt to buy alcohol in a number of outlets in Ross and Ledbury. She was successful on five occasions. Fixed penalty notices were issued to three supermarkets, one mini-supermarket and a small store across the two towns.

PC Dave Hamilton from Ledbury Police, who went on the operation, said, "There were many places where staff were on the ball and refused to serve the girl. This was particularly the case with the off-licences we tried; our girl was unsuccessful on every occasion."

"Local businesses selling alcohol must be aware that underage drinking can very often be a factor in anti-social behaviour. By restricting sales to over 18's, this will reduce the risk of youngsters getting tipsy or drunk and falling foul of the law."

PC Hamilton said that further test-purchase operations like this are planned across the county between Trading Standards and the local police.