Young drinkers targeted at the bonfire parade

But more undercover tests by police on pubs in Littlehampton on Friday night have revealed that landlords are treating under-age drinking seriously.

Insp Mark Hammond, of Littlehampton police, said that while the Littlehampton Bonfire Society had worked closely with the police to ensure the parade went smoothly, there was a disturbing rise in the amount of under-age drinking on the streets.

During the parade, enjoyed by crowds of around 15,000 people, and during which there were no major incidents, one police team seized 52 cans of beer, 14 bottles of alcopop, three bottles of vodka and two bottles of wine from under-age drinkers.

"More disconcertingly, we have gathered intelligence that at least two or three off-licence premises in the area have been involved in the selling of alcohol to under-age persons," said Insp Hammond, who vowed to follow up the information.

"These premises will be subject to an intense focus and when the evidence is sufficient to prosecute, I will go after their licences.

"I will be visiting local off-licences and pubs. I will be getting personally involved in the prosecution of those minority of premises which, despite communications and warnings, still insist on putting their own selfish interests before that of the local community."

He added: "There's a minority who are unscrupulous. Where these premises are concerned, there will be no second chances."

The police have taken a tough stance on under-age drinking in Littlehampton and despite the problems on Bonfire Night, there are signs that this is paying off and pubs in the town are doing more to curb sales of alcohol to under-18s.

Three pubs in Littlehampton failed undercover police tests in September for serving under-age drinkers, resulting in on-the-spot fines for the bar staff who served them.

A third phase of undercover tests took place on Friday in the three pubs which failed along with one other pub in the town.

All three failed pubs passed but the additional pub tested was found to serve alcohol to under-age drinkers resulting in an 80 on-the-spot fine for the member of bar staff who served them and a police caution for the licensee.

Insp Hammond encouraged concerned people to contact him personally if they see under-age youngsters being served alcohol in off-licences or pubs.

He said: "You can do this by either writing to me at Littlehampton Police Station or phoning 0845 60 70 999 and asking the operator to leave me an e-mail message."