Young volunteers will attempt to purchase alcohol

Young volunteers will be sent out to see how many off-sales and licensed premises are prepared to sell them age-restricted products.

It is the first time such a scheme has been operated by police in the region and it will run indefinitely.

Ch Insp Michael Collins said the aim of the operation was to cut the amount of alcohol getting into youngster's hands.

"This will give the police the powers to use youngsters to go out and buy alcohol for the purposes of obtaining evidence," he said.

"It will be the first time such an approach has been taken by local police."

'Major concern'

However, he said that the scheme was not attempting to catch traders out.

"The whole idea here is not to put anybody out of business we are looking to reduce the amount of alcohol being sourced by youngsters," he said.

"To be honest if I saw 100 purchases pass I would be more than happy.

"Underage drinking is a major concern to us and if we can reduce the amount of alcohol being sourced by kids hopefully that will have an effect on reducing the amount of anti-social behaviour."