OFF-LICENCES in Alexandra ward have been praised by police for refusing to sell alcohol to underage drinkers. In an undercover operation, police officers from the Alexandra Safer Neighbourhoods Team visited four shops with underage police cadets – and all

OFF-LICENCES in Alexandra ward have been praised by police for refusing to sell alcohol to underage drinkers.

In an undercover operation, police officers from the Alexandra Safer Neighbourhoods Team visited four shops with underage police cadets - and all of the shops refused to sell them alcohol.

The shopkeepers were contacted by the Safer Neighbourhoods sergeant to inform them of the results and explain why they were conducting the test purchase.

Sgt Neil Billany, from Alexandra Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: "The combined efforts of the agencies involved saw a successful operation - with the message going out to shopkeepers that selling alcohol to underage youths will not be tolerated.

"It is vital that we work in partnership to tackle part of the source of the problem."

Haringey's crime and community safety boss Councillor Nilgun Canver said: "It's good news that no shops sold alcohol to young people. I can only repeat that the council and the police will not tolerate businesses selling alcohol to underage young people.

"The police cadets play a fantastic role in helping us ascertain where this kind of illegal practice is going on and who needs to be prosecuted."

The visits were part of a two-day operation, in the whole of the borough, to tackle retailers suspected of underage sales of alcohol, tobacco, knives, fireworks or spray paints.

It was run jointly with Trading Standards and assisted by safer schools officers and police cadets.

Two other licensed retailers in Haringey were visited on April 7 and 9, which resulted in two retailers selling alcohol and knives to an underage police cadet.

Trading Standards are now in the process of prosecuting both premises.