LICENSED premises in Abingdon have again been warned not to sell alcohol to underage youngsters.

Last month two shops — one in Wootton Road and the other in Drayton — failed a test purchasing operation.

The test, part of Operation Nightsafe, saw two 16-year-old volunteers from Oxford, accompanied by two undercover licensing officers, go into licensed premises and off licenses in an attempt to buy alcohol.

Two out of the four outlets failed.

A worker at the Post Office in Drayton sold alcohol to the volunteers.

He was arrested and is being dealt with by the Immigration Service for unrelated immigration offences.

At the One Stop Shop in Besselsleigh Road, Abingdon, a member of staff was also caught selling alcohol to the youngsters and received an £80 fine.

Thames Valley Police’s licensing officer Tony Cope said: “We are carrying out these operations throughout the county to ensure the correct procedures are being adhered to.

“If a licensed premises fails these operations three times, we then consider reviewing their licence and it can be revoked.”

Police officers and representatives from the Vale of White Horse District Council have joined forces as part of Operation Nightsafe, which aims to reduce alcohol-related violence and disorder.

The multi-agency partnership is working alongside Pub Watch and licensees to improve the quality of nightlife in the town centre.

Vale police commander, Chief Insp Andy Boyd, said: “Nightsafe aims to increase public confidence by reducing incidents of alcohol-related violence and disorder.

“We are dedicated to tackling alcohol and substance misuse and will continue with our effective licensing enforcement.

“Extra officers are deployed at the weekends and we endeavour to have a highly visible presence in the town.”

Licensing officers from the Vale of the White Horse District Council have been visiting pubs in the district to give advice on problems they might have been experiencing.