Several shops across West Berkshire have been fined after being caught selling underage teens alcohol during Halloween celebrations.

In the run up to the holidays Thames Valley Police implemented a ‘test purchasing’ operation where underage ‘test purchasers’ were sent into shops asking for alcohol.

Across eight shops tested in Hungerford, Thatcham, Speen and Newbury, one shop in Speen, one shop in Newbury and two shops in Thatcham did not ask for ID.

Police chose to conduct this operation due to a rise in anti-social behaviour around Halloween.

This includes the selling of fireworks to underage children.

Thames Valley Police in Newbury reported this on their social media announcing that the individual sales assistants were issued a £90 fixed penalty notice and referred to Trading Standards.