NEARLY a quarter of Kirklees off-licences targeted in an undercover police sting sold alcohol to children.
In the last three weeks officers in the district have been sending 14 and 15-year-olds into licensed premises to try to buy booze.
Six of the 27 shops tested did sell drink to the youngsters and were slapped with £80 on-the-spot fines.
Insp David Glover, of Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “I am disappointed by the number of failures, considering the recent publicity of tragic events involving alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour.
“I have to remind all licence-holders in Kirklees that if any premises repeatedly sell alcohol to under-age children during this operation they will be prosecuted for persistently selling alcohol to children.”
Insp Glover said police had confiscated alcohol from children as young as 12 who were drinking in the streets.
He said the operation, which has so far targeted Mirfield and the south of Huddersfield, would continue as long as there was a problem.
“Under-age drinking creates a lot of problems relating to anti-social behaviour,” he said.
“The affects of allowing it to continue can be tragic, as the case of Garry Newlove showed.”
Mr Newlove died after confronting a gang of youths who were vandalising property outside his Warrington home last month.
Insp Glover said that under the 2003 Licensing Act repeat offenders could be fined up to £10,000 and have their premises closed.
He said premises should think about challenging anyone who looked under 21, adding: “It is important that the licensed trade throughout Kirklees takes a responsible stance on serving alcohol to young children.
“I recommend they all adopt the ‘challenge 21’ thinking.
“I accept that it is difficult for staff to ascertain the age of somebody around the age of 18, but that is no excuse to sell them alcohol.”
