A SOUTHAMPTON councillor has called for city shopkeepers not to sell alcohol to anyone under 21.

Millbrook Councillor George Melrose claims shopkeepers are putting sales before sense and fuelling deviance by selling alcohol to minors.

Cllr Melrose said he had been contacted by a number of concerned parents in the Millbrook area whose children were getting their hands on not just lager, but also spirits like whisky and vodka.

He said: "It's time for shopkeepers to be hit hard for selling alcohol to minors.

"By raising the purchasing age to 21,

many counter staff will find it easier to recognise those who are genuinely old enough to purchase alcohol and will reduce the chance of their employers losing their licence.

"The problem with a lot of shop staff is that they are so busy dealing with several customers at a time that they may not even look at who they are serving.

"Many of the youngsters get their older brothers or sisters to buy the booze. They often don't realise they are committing a criminal offence by purchasing alcohol for a minor.

"We need parents, councillors, the police and the media to come together on this to ensure that action is taken against those shopkeepers breaking the law."

Insp Dave Harrison, based at Shirley police station, said: "We welcome Councillor Melrose's comments but realise it is often very difficult for shopkeepers to tell

whether someone is old enough to purchase alcohol. We want to work with local businesses, rather than always look to prosecute them.

"Our advice to shopkeepers is if in doubt don't sell alcohol. If they wish to refuse to sell alcohol to anyone under 21 we would support them."

Perry McMillan, another city councillor, also recently called for shopkeepers in Thornhill to be more careful of who they sell alcohol to after speaking to many concerned locals.