Children as young as 13 are being sold alcohol from London off-licences and drinking it openly on the streets. An investigation by Camden council discovered that 80 per cent of shops in the London borough happily sold alcohol to children under 18 and that there was also a problem with underage youngsters buying cigarettes.
The news that shops are flouting the law has angered pub licensees in the area who feel they are often unfairly blamed for the problem.
Philip Matthews, licensee of the Rock Garden Bar and Gardening Club in Covent Garden, said: "We're not trying to lay the blame on anybody but if you look at the kids who are drinking alcohol on the streets they have not bought their drinks from pubs, but from off-licences or supermarkets."
Sarah Hall, a Camden Trading Standards Officer, said she was surprised at how easy it was for these young people to buy alcohol and cigarettes in shops - even though it was quite clear they were underage.
"Shopkeepers need to be aware that this is illegal and they can be prosecuted," she added.
Trade leaders say this heightens the need for the government to introduce a national ID card, which would make it easier for retailers and licensees to spot underage drinkers.
David Poley, deputy director of drinks watchdog The Portman Group, said it was the only way to resolve the problem.