 Trading Standards and police are working together to test licensees |
More than 600 undercover operations to trap shops selling alcohol to children aged under 18 are planned in Yorkshire and the Humber. Under-age volunteers, under the supervision of trading standards officers, will try to buy alcohol as part of a big national crackdown.
Shopkeepers and licensees can expect an undercover visit from trading standards and police over the festive period.
In Nottingham, 60 % of stores were found to be breaching the law.
Responsible retailers
Simon Frow, Head of Community Protection and Licensing at Barnsley Council and regional representative for Yorkshire and Humber Trading Standards, said: "This initiative allows us to build on our existing work and have a greater impact.
"For example, a number of authorities are operating Responsible Retailer schemes and we are confident that this will help publicise our efforts in this area, encouraging and assisting retailers to act responsibly when approached by young people trying to buy alcohol.
"We are also pleased to have the opportunity to work with our police colleagues throughout the region again.
"We see this joint working as crucial to dealing with the problem of under-age drinking.
"We already have experience of how successful this can be through initiatives such as Operation Mischief in South Yorkshire, where officers from the Police and Trading Standards conduct joint test purchasing operations."
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