Underage teenagers used fake driving licences to persuade shopkeepers to sell them alcohol and cigarettes while others borrowed genuine licences to use as proof of age.

Three teenagers have been cautioned after trying to trick staff at Tesco Express in Ashtead into selling them booze and cigarettes while a shopkeeper at Alldays in Ashtead village has been prosecuted following the alleged sale of alcohol to a 15 year old according to the latest Ashtead neighbourhood watch newsleter.

“We are still aware that some teenagers are asking people over the age of 18 to buy alcohol for them and there are still isolated incidents of under 18s in the village in possession of alcohol however this has improved dramatically over the last year,” wrote neighbourhood officer PC Jason Woods in the newsletter.

“We would like to urge parents to discuss these issues with their children as these incidents could result in staff losing their jobs or their child getting a criminal record,” he wrote.

“Anyone found buying alcohol for under 18s are likely is likely to be prosecuted and persons attempting to purchase items they are not entitled to with fake ID will also be dealt with.”

He pointed out that while it illegal to buy cigarettes under the age of 18 it is not illegal for 16 and 17-year-olds to be in possession of cigarettes in public.

While 16-year-olds can ask anyone over 18 to buy cigarettes for them it is against the law for over 18s to buy alcohol for anyone under that age.