Police said off-licences must be responsible

The traders were caught after volunteers under 18 tried to buy alcohol at 88 premises in the city.

The checks, from April 2006 to April 2007, were part of a joint operation between Trading Standards South East (TSSE) authorities and the police.

During the crackdown, minors visited 540 off-licences across the region.

The responsibility must firstly lie with the off-licences who serve these youths, but also parents must take an active role Sgt Andy Clinton

TSSE is a partnership between 19 local authority trading standards services, including Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Robert Briggs, trading standards manager for Portsmouth City Council, said: "It is absolutely right that we continue to keep traders selling age restricted products on their toes."

Sgt Andy Clinton, from Hampshire police, said: "Operation Drink Safe promotes the message of sensible drinking and it would be na�ve not to target those youths who regularly drink to excess, causing a considerable degree of anti-social behaviour."

He added: "The responsibility must firstly lie with the off-licences who serve these youths, but also parents must take an active role."