ALERT staff at the Co-op store in Buntingford reported a woman buying alcohol for under-age youths. They reported the incident to police – and provided closed-circuit television images of the woman. Police were able to trace the 18-year-old woman and issu

ALERT staff at the Co-op store in Buntingford reported a woman buying alcohol for under-age youths.

They reported the incident to police - and provided closed-circuit television images of the woman.

Police were able to trace the 18-year-old woman and issued her with an £80 fixed penalty notice.

The incident on Friday, September 7 emerged this week when police issued details about the offence.

They said that the woman, from Kelshall, was seen to purchase alcohol in the store.

When she left staff saw her pass on the drink to a group of under-age youths.

Sgt Duncan Wallace, of the Buntingford Safer neighbourhood team, said: "The Co-op store alerted police following a meeting just two days prior to the incident, regarding working together to enforce licensing laws.

"This shows police and people in the licensed trade are committed to working together.

"It sends a clear message to any adult buying alcohol to pass on to those who are under age that these actions will not be tolerated."

n Police in Herts have said that an anti-drink and drug campaign run during August has had "encouraging results".

Some 114 people were arrested for drink or drug-driving, compared to 150 in August, 2006.

Chief Insp Nigel Brown of the strategic road policing unit said: "This year saw a reduction in the number of people who were arrested for drink-drive offences.

"Although this is encouraging, there is still a significant number of people who are choosing to drink and drive, and these people pose a significant risk to themselves and others on the road.

"In the past year there have been 136 collisions in Herts where at least one of the drivers had been drinking or using drugs, resulting in 17 people being seriously injured.