Corner shop off-licences in the borough have warned against selling drink to under-18s after one was barred from selling alcohol.

Following complaints from residents and the Police, Hampton News and Booze in Twickenham has had its licence revoked.

However, the store is not alone in selling drink to children in the borough with the resulting potential harm and antisocial behaviour.

In June 2021, the Police carried out a test purchase operation at Hampton News and Booze, which proved it was selling alcohol to children and requested the Council review its licence.

The Council's Licensing Sub-Committee subsequently revoked the licence, which prompted an appeal by the shop owner.

However, before the case reached court, an investigation by the police found the shop was continuing to sell drink to children.

Given the weight of evidence that the store was breaking the law, the owner withdrew the appeal and agreed to pay the Council £8,000 in costs. As a result, it is no longer able to sell alcohol.

The chair of the Regulatory Services Committee at Richmond Council, Cllr Helen Lee-Parsons, said: "When the Council grants a licence, it is on the understanding that Licence Holders will act responsibly."

She put other shop owners on notice that they face losing their licence if they fail to abide by the law, adding: "Selling alcohol to children is totally unacceptable and will result in licences being revoked.

"This case shows that the Council will act appropriately and swiftly to stop Licence Holders from breaking the law."

In November, the police issued a social media warning after two shops in Twickenham and three in Kingston were found selling alcohol to under 18s.

The shops were issued with a penalty notice for disorder (PND), which is a £90 fixed penalty fine.