Underage drinkers are still buying from supermarkets

Another 'sting' operation by The Sunday Times found that youngsters can buy 'alcopops' without challenge despite the stores' claims that new vetting procedures have eliminated underage buying.

The operation was carried out after the big four supermarkets – Sainsbury, Tesco, Safeway and Asda – refused to follow the example of the Co-op and Iceland to stop selling the drinks. The stores said that banning the drinks was unnecessary because rigorous security measures would prevent them from being sold to those under 18.

However, a Sunday Times team of five underage teenagers had little problem buying alcopops in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. In total, 37 transactions were attempted at branches of 10 stores. In only four cases were the teenagers – aged 15 to 17 – challenged about their age. They were prevented from buying alcopops in only two stores.

Natalie Price, 15, from Kingston upon Thames, bought five bottles of alcopops, including Hooper's Hooch and Woody's Pink Grapefruit, from London branches of Sainsbury, Waitrose, Tesco, Asda and Somerfield in less than three hours. She was not challenged.

Lisa Connor, 16, from southwest London, was stopped at the checkout of Waitrose when she tried to buy two bottles of Hooch. "The cashier asked me if I had proof I was 18 and I said no. Then she called her supervisor who asked how old I was. I said I was 21 and she waved me through," she said.

The only stores to refuse the teenagers alcopops were branches of Sainsbury in London and Manchester.

All the stores approached by The Sunday Times teenagers said they would investigate why their detection systems had failed.