Alcoholic drinks were seized from 23,621 under 18’s between 8 February and 24 February.

Of the 30% who told the police where they had bought their alcohol half said it was from the off-trade.

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said; “I want to send a strong signal once again to those persistent few irresponsible retailers that deliberately sell to under-18s. They will be caught and they will be punished.”

Beer was the most popular drink among under-age drinkers, accounting for 69% of alcohol seized, followed by cider on 14%.

Also published today were results of the December 2007 Responsible Alcohol Sales Campaign (RASC).

Police visited 1,741 poorly managed premises known to be associated with alcohol-related violence, crime and disorder.

But the RASC found just eight incidences of selling alcohol to children and four of alcohol being consumed by children. The most predominant offence was selling alcohol to a person who is drunk (53 offences).

Paul Smith, chief executive of trade body Noctis, said that the figures reflected well on the on-trade because of the very small number of problem venues being looked at.

“It is a very tiny percentage of selected premises. The on-trade does not have a major problem in these areas. We need to be pushing that message hard about how corporately socially responsible this business is.”

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