Over HALF of 86 off-licences 'potentially' breached their licence conditions by failing to ask for identification before the sale of alcohol to a young person.

The Public Protection Partnership which delivers Trading Standards, environmental health and licensing services across Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire and Wokingham has found 58 per cent of 86 local off-licences has breached legal conditions.

A 20-year-old mystery shopper visited the stores and tried to make purchases for alcohol. They did not take any ID with them but was still able to purchase alcohol from the 50 retailers.

Councillor Iain McCracken, chairman of the join public protection committee said: "All retailers selling alcohol are required to have an age verification policy in place as part of their premises licence.

"Most stores run a Challenge 21 or Challenge 25 policy which means they should be asking for ID if the person purchasing the alcohol looks either 21 or 25, or under.

"The Challenge retailing strategies encourage anyone who is over 18, but looks under 21 or 25 to carry acceptable ID if they wish to buy alcohol, such as a card bearing the PASS hologram, a photographic driving licence or a passport." The law in the UK states that customers must be 18 years or over to buy alcohol and they must provide proof of age if challenged.

Despite there were no Trading Standards offences from underage sales the retailers potentially breached their licence conditions by failing to ask for identification before selling to a young person.

The premises that were checked by the mystery shopper will be rechecked to ensure their future compliance. Any repeat sales will result in possible enforcement options being considered including prosecution or review of their licence.

Councillor McCracken added: "Business who are not checking the age of young customers before they sell alcohol to them, by asking for and checking ID are causing potential risks to the health and wellbeing of local young people.

"The PPP encourages all businesses selling alcohol and any Age Restricted Product to run a Challenge 25 policy and to train all staff on how to carry out the policy."

Any residents of Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire or Wokingham councils that have concerns about licensing or any public protection matter should contact the service.