Underage sales by more than 30 traders

More than 30 shops were caught selling alcohol or cigarettes to children in a Black Country borough last year.

Sandwell trading standards took action against 28 stores for selling booze to 15 and 16-year-old volunteers. Four shops were caught selling cigarettes to underage youngsters after almost 170 test purchases were done at off-licences.

As a result, licence reviews were carried out on 28 stores and 12 of these reviews will continue into 2010. Premises that will have their licences reviewed include Tipton Wine Centre, Lower Church Lane; H&H Supermarket, Portway Road, Rowley Regis; Supersave Discount Store, Johnson Road, Friar Park, and Grewel Off Licence, High Street, Rowley Regis.

Council trading standards managerBob Robinson said: "The aims of the test purchases are to deter retailers from selling to youngsters and to reduce anti-social behaviour and the problems associated with drinking. We want to protect young people from the potential dangers of alcohol."

Sixteen off-licences were dealt with by the council's licensing panel last year and had conditions imposed upon them. These included ordering them to operate an under-21 proof-of-age scheme, to operate CCTV so alcohol displays and the counter can be viewed and extra training for staff.

Several shop licensees were also prosecuted in the magistrates courts and ordered to pay fines. Councillor Mahboob Hussain, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and housing, said: "The proof-of-age scheme and test-purchases drive ties in with the Safer Sandwell Partnership's priorities for 2008 to 2011. These include reducing crime and anti-social behaviour as well as reducing the harm caused by alcohol and drugs."

Test purchases on tobacco sales were done at 25 shops, with four found to sell cigarettes to the underage purchaser. This resulted in three cautions and one prosecution.