 A recent survey found nine out of ten of teenagers had drunk alcohol |
More retailers in Lancashire have been fined for selling alcohol to under 18s than anywhere else in England and Wales, police say. More than 150 penalty notices have been issued to retailers across the county so far in 2006. Officers issued 178 in Lancashire during 2005.
Lancashire Constabulary said it was targeting both shopkeepers and adults who buy alcohol for youngsters.
The force said it supported a national drive to cut down on underage drinkers.
In addition to shopkeepers, 20 fixed penalty notices have been issued to young people themselves.
Insp John Clucas said: "We can clearly see from feedback from people in the county that young people who are under the influence create more problems, are more likely to commit offences, and are generally more of a nuisance than those who have not had alcohol."
A recent survey by Liverpool John Moores University suggested that 40% of youngsters in north-west England binge drink.
A quarter of teenage respondents said they drink at least twice a week and half of them in public places.
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