Five West Cumbrian stores failed to ask for identification as underage youngsters bought alcohol in a police operation.
The test purchases were carried out in Egremont and Cleator Moor yesterday, April 13, by police in response to reports of anti-social behaviour incidents by youngsters in the area.
Copeland police carried out the operation with a young person attempting to buy alcohol, as part of officers’ ongoing to address the issue by testing stores’ vigilance.
Only five stores were visited during the operation.
Sergeant Scott Adam, of Copeland police, said: “This is not the result we wanted, all five stores have not failed previous test purchasing operations so we will be looking to educate them on challenging for ID.
“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 to children.
“We are aware of some issues in Egremont and Cleator Moor of disorder specifically alcohol related anti-social behaviour among young people.
“Officers will continue to be proactive in responding to concerns of residents and urge stores to always challenge for ID when they suspect a person, under the legal age, is attempting to purchase alcohol.
“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.”
