Police say similar crackdowns have been effective

Undercover officers posing as customers will issue �80 fines for staff seen serving under-age drinkers and visibly drunk people.

The Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA) says the police should be targeting clubs not pubs.

But Insp Adam Cornish says it will cut violent crime and antisocial behaviour.

Culture change

He said: "We have got a good relationship with our licensees. However, there are occasions where young people are getting served and they shouldn't be.

"We shall be working with trading standards, using test purchasing and covert resources to target offenders and bring prosecutions."

He said police in Nottingham had seen a significant cut in the number of under-age drinkers after a similar clampdown.

"This is part of our core business," said Insp Adams.

"We are trying to make it the case that if someone does not look over 18, they are asked for identification.

"We shall keep building on it until we change the culture."

But Peter Reed from the LVA said he was not convinced an ID card system could work.

He said: "The real trouble is that so many youngsters these days look over their age.

"If you work behind a bar in a busy situation you don't have the time to look at ID cards.

"I really feel that the police are putting unfair pressure on landlords. Far better that they look at the types of people who are causing the trouble."