POLICE in Burnley are launching a scheme to crackdown on the number of adults buying alcohol for underage youths during the Christmas period.

The Campaign Against Alcohol Proxy Sales (CAPS) is to target adults who buy alcohol for underage youths from off licences and other shops.

Burnley's Neighbourhood Policing teams will be visiting shops and off licences showing staff how to spot adults buying alcohol for youths.

They are also warning adults of the risks they take by buying alcohol for children.

The scheme is being launched by Pennine Police as part of Operation Shepherd, a countywide scheme aimed at tackling alcohol related crime and disorder during the Christmas period.

Sergeant Craig Leech, from Pennine Police, said: "Underage drinking is often a cause for concern in many communities.

"A lot of the time young people have bought their alcohol from off licences who have not questioned their age.

"Thanks to the work that we have carried out by running test purchases at off licences, sales to young people by shop keepers have dropped significantly.

"However, what has become more common is the practice of young people waiting outside an off licence and asking adults to buy alcohol for them. This is what we call a proxy purchase.

"What people need to realise is that the person buying the alcohol for the youths is committing an offence and could receive an on the spot fine of £80 or be taken to court to face a maximum £5,000 fine.

"Underage drinking often causes problems in the community and people who buy for underage youths are doing nothing to help tackle those problems."