City of York Council is taking a tough stance on the sales of alcohol and other age restricted products to young people.

The executive member for environment and sustainability with advisory panel will discuss a programme of action to enforce the Children and Young Persons (Protection from tobacco) Act 1991, and other age restricted products at their meeting today (Wednesday, 10 December).

Council officers are recommending a programme of enforcement which includes advisory visits, publicity and test purchasing. Those businesses found to be selling age-restricted products will receive formal action including a formal caution for first time offenders and prosecution for second or subsequent offenders. A new information pack will be distributed to all York off licences and premises registered for keeping fireworks before Christmas. The guidance pack has been funded by the Yorkshire and Humber Trading Standards Group. The aim is to help businesses train employees on the law and to encourage them to take positive action to prevent underage sales. Businesses are advised to complete a 'refusals book' to demonstrate they are turning away underage purchasers.

Colin Rumford, head of environmental health and trading standards, City of York Council, said: "We will continue to work together with the Police and York businesses to crack down on sales of alcohol and other age restricted products. Anti social behaviour through underage drinking is something we are trying to combat especially over the festive season when more young people attempt to purchase these products.

"Test purchasing remains the most effective deterrent and it has established that York retailers do make illegal sales of alcohol to under 18's although they do refuse the sale of other age restricted products,"