Newham council enforcement officers have come down hard on off licences throughout the borough with their undercover Operation Missouri.

18 stores have had their licenses called in for review for flouting licensing hours and selling alcohol to underage children as a result of Operation Missouri, which has been investigating local off licences since April, It is now up to councillors whether or not more conditions will be added to control the shopkeepers behaviour or licenses will be revoked.

Councillor Ian Corbett, Mayoral Advisor for Environment and Leisure, said: “Six irresponsible licencees have already had their licences revoked and several more are currently under review. We will be looking to hear how they intend to mend their ways at the upcoming hearings or we will take stringent action.”

Of the 6 stores that had their licences revoked or stopped trading in alcohol 2 are awaiting appeal and a further 2 had new conditions imposed whilst their licences are left suspended and a number of sales assistants and business owners were interviewed under caution for the offences.

The inspection of the stores was a joint effort from Newham’s licensing, trading standards the police and law enforcement teams along with HM Revenue and customs. Test purchases were made in 151 stores in Stratford, West Ham, Upton Park and Plaistow, including sending in underage children as test purchasers which led to 10 stores failing to check for ID and selling to children.

The test purchasers were looking for a number of infractions including selling outside of permitted hours, to underage customers or cigarettes and alcohol without the excise duty paid on them.

Corbett explained: “This intense operation shows how Newham Council is working hard to protect residents from unscrupulous businesses who break the law for a quick buck. Our enforcement teams have carried out a thorough and fair investigation of these off licences.

Operation Missouri was a huge success and Newham are moving forward with similar operations to keep their local community safe and the standards of their stores high ensuring a happier environment for all their residents.