Shops passed an alcohol test purchase ‘by the skin of their teeth’.

Police in Burnley and Padiham, police cadets and a volunteer from the licensing department went out last night (January 27) to carry out a test purchasing operation.

The group visited off-licenses across the areas to see if any would sell alcohol to under 18's without challenging them for ID.

All the shops visited passed the test on this occasion however officers said that a couple of them only passed ‘by the skin of their teeth’.

PCSO Lee Tyler and PCSO Sharon Clarke said: “You may ask ‘why are you concentrating police time on this?’

“The answer is because we need to stop alcohol such as neat bottles of vodka getting into the hands of 13- and 14-year-olds who then end up in dangerous situations or passed out and having to be taken to hospital.

“You could ask ‘Why just alcohol, what about Vape pens?’

“The answer is we will be doing a separate operation soon for Vape Pens.

“Finally, you may also ask ‘well what about this shop or that shop, have you tested them?’

“The answer is if we didn't this time then we probably will next time so watch this space.”