Four licensed premises in Herne Hill were caught selling alcohol to underage customers last Friday.

Officers from the area’s safer neighbourhood team (SNT) organised the test purchasing following concerns from residents over antisocial behaviour around Herne Hill station.

Two teenagers aged 14 and 15 entered seven off licences, bars and restaurants under covert supervision and attempted to buy alcohol.

Employees caught making the illegal sales were fined £80 and police said the businesses now risk losing their licenses if caught selling alcohol to underage customers again.

Officers also seized 23 cans of strong beer from a group of teenagers during visits to the shops.

A cross-border working group for Lambeth and Southwark has now been established to tackle the problem. It is made up of SNTs from the two boroughs, the councils, licensing officers and representatives of residents' and business groups.

Lambeth SNT Inspector Stuart Bell said: “This initiative was undertaken as a result of significant community concerns about alcohol sale and misuse in the area. The impact on residents’ quality of life has been substantial.

“By taking positive action with partners and working closely with neighbouring wards we have shown that antisocial behaviour, and those facilitating it, will not be tolerated.”

Sergeant Jeff Jenkinson from Village SNT said the team would continue to work with the Herne Hill Forum and its partners to get more crime prevention measures in place, including CCTV.