THE vigilance of shop and bar staff has been praised by police after a test purchasing operation in Blackburn and Darwen last weekend.

Two 14-year-old girls visited 13 premises as part of a joint operation between Lancashire Police and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Trading Standards department to crack down on underage sales of alcohol.

Police praised staff for either refusing sales entirely or denying them after asking the pair for identification.

Licensing officer Sgt Jason Middleton said: “This test purchase was part of the operation to reduce violent crime and antisocial behaviour in our centres.

“It was reassuring to see that staff at the premises we visited were fully aware of their responsibilities and asked for identification.”

Coun Yusuf Jan-Virmani, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for neighbourhood, housing and customer services, added: “These positive results from the test purchases show that licensed premises in the borough are taking their responsibilities and roles under the law and in the community very seriously.”