FOUR off licences were caught selling alcohol to children in a police sting. 

Sussex Police carried out the test purchase operation at eight off licences across Worthing, Shoreham, Rustington and Littlehampton and four of them failed.

A 16-year-old entered the four premises and were sold alcohol without the staff member checking their ID. 

The four premises were Mulberry's Kent close, Shoreham, Montague Stores, Montague Street, Worthing, West Worthing Food Centre, South Street, Tarring, and Trident News, Shelley Road, Worthing.

All members of staff caught selling the alcohol were issued with a £90 penalty notice. 
The management of all four stores will be invited to a meeting with the police to discuss the sales.

The test purchases happened on September 17. 

Sergeant Mike Balmer said: "These results are very disappointing and highlight the importance of carrying out test purchase operations. There are obvious risks associated with children being able to purchase alcohol, whilst also increasing the risk of crime and anti-social behaviour for residents in the local community.

"Shop owners who break the law put their alcohol licence at risk. All of these premises will be re-tested again."

"On a more encouraging note, HD Food and Wine, Ham Road, Worthing; Best One, Guildford Road, Rustington and Silas, Beach Road, Littlehampton, were all re-tested and passed. The eighth tested, Premier Maxi's Supermarket in High Street, Shoreham, refused to sell alcohol to our under-age volunteer."