Seven shops sold cigarettes and alcohol to underage people during an undercover operation.

Young police cadets carried out test purchases at 24 shops in Watford and the Three Rivers district, and of the 24, seven allowed the sale of items which should only be sold to people over the age of 18.

Laws state that a shopkeeper should also seek age verification for anyone they believe to be under the age of 25.

Four police cadets from Hemel Hempstead, aged 16 and 17, visited the shops on July 18 and asked to buy cigarettes and alcohol. A majority of them refused the sale as the cadets were unable to provide documents that showed they were legally allowed to buy the product.

The stores that failed the test and allowed the cadets to buy alcohol and cigarettes will receive follow-up visits and the information has been passed on to Trading Standards.

Three shops were in Watford.

Sergeant Luke Mitchell from the Watford and Three Rivers community safety unit said: “It was pleasing to see that the majority of premises visited did ask for identification and subsequently refuse the sales.

“However, there were a handful that did fail and words of advice have been given.

“I’d like to thank the cadets for volunteering their time to take part. It was an interesting operation and we will be conducting similar visits in future.”