FOUR people out of 28 asked went into an off-licence to buy alcohol for under-age children.
Thurrock Council’s licensing and trading standards teams, working with Essex Police carried out the “proxy purchasing” event in and around South Ockendon last month.
People who bought alcohol for youngsters aged under 18 were risking a £90 on-the-spot fine or if prosecuted, a fine of up to £5,000 and a criminal record.
The teams were working with two 15-year-old volunteers in the test recently. The young people stood outside local shops asking passing adults to buy them alcohol.
The one in seven adults who did so were greeted by the team once they entered the store.
The operation, supported by local businesses, aims to tackle underage drinking and anti-social behaviour across Thurrock.
Portfolio holder for public protection, Cllr Jane Pothecary, said: “Putting young people at risk of danger is simply unacceptable.
“This time the adults were given information leaflets on the harms and risks of children consuming alcohol, as well as the laws around buying it for them.
“This operation will be repeated across the borough in weeks and months to come and in future we will not be as lenient.”
