Alcohol ban at shamed supermarket

Sainsbury's apologised to customers for the disruption

A supermarket in Portsmouth has become one of the first in the country to be banned from selling alcohol after being caught serving under-18s.

The Sainsbury's in Farlington will stop selling alcohol for 48 hours from 0700 BST on Friday after failing three test purchases between January and March.

Police said staff have since refused selling alcohol to children in sting operations after March.

Sainsbury's apologised to customers and said it was a "responsible retailer".

A spokesman said notices have been put up in store giving customers advanced warning of the ban but refused to reveal how much money would be lost.

The company was offered two choices by police, either the 48-hour ban, which the store accepted, or face court action.

'Think 25 policy'

A Hampshire Police spokeswoman said a Somerfield supermarket in Brighton and a Tesco store are the only other supermarkets to have been previously served with alcohol bans.

Sgt Wendie Douglas, of the police's licensing team, said: "It is the first time this section of the Licensing Act has been used in Portsmouth.

"Officers have carried out a number of test purchase operations at Sainsbury's since March and on each occasion staff have refused to sell alcohol to the young people which shows they are taking their responsibilities seriously."

She added stores are being offered support and training.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "We would like to apologise to any customers who have been inconvenienced by this temporary suspension.

"Sainsbury's is a responsible retailer so we have implemented a Think 25 policy and we will be working closely with the local authorities to help prevent this happening again."