Three stores in West Cumbria face prosecution for selling alcohol and vapes to under-18s.
Community beat officers in Copeland carried out a test purchase operation in Egremont and Cleator Moor on Friday following reports of alcohol related anti-social behaviour in the area.
Six shops were visited during the operation with young people attempting to buy alcohol and vapes.
Three stores passed, two in Egremont when a young person tried to buy alcohol and in Cleator Moor when a vape was attempted to be bought.
Three stores failed, a store in Cleator Moor and Egremont sold alcohol to a young person. A different store in Cleator Moor also sold a vape.
Police said they will look to prosecute the stores which failed the test and urged staff to always challenge for ID when they suspect a person, under the legal age, is attempting to buy alcohol or vapes.
Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Richard Smillie said: “We are aware of some issues in Egremont and Cleator Moor of youth disorder specifically alcohol related anti-social behaviour among young people.
“This operation is part of the work ongoing to address these issued by testing stores vigilance in challenging those they suspect may be underage.
“We will report those stores which failed and further investigations will be carried out. I hope this acts as a warning to stores to ensure they challenge those they believe might be underage, who have a professional duty not to sell alcohol or vapes to children.
“During our enquiries and work with young people to reduce antisocial behaviour we have found that there are adults who are purchasing alcohol on behalf of underage drinkers. This will simply not be tolerated, and we will be looking to identify any person who is doing this.
“We work very closely with partner agencies, businesses and local residents to tackle antisocial behaviour and we continually look to address the concerns of the communities we serve.”
