SHOPKEEPERS in Swindon are being urged to back a drive to reduce crime involving youths.

A survey carried out by Trading Standards departments across the country revealed almost half of stores had sold blades to under 16s and one third had sold alcohol to under-18s.

Now a campaign called No ID No Sale has been launched by Citizencard to remind shopkeepers they could be breaking the law.

In the last year Trading Standards officers carried out a number of "mystery shopper" type purchases using underage youngsters to see if shops flout the law.

Out of 173 visits, there were 41 sales of cigarettes. Twenty-four alcohol tests saw 10 sales. Despite the national figures, 11 knife sale tests saw no sales in Swindon.

It is hoped that it will encourage young people to carry approved forms of identification such as the Citizencard to buy items.

Part of the funding comes from major cigarette manufacturers such as Gallaher, British American Tobacco and Philip Morris.

Russell Sharland of Swindon Trading Standards welcomed the campaign. He said: "No ID No Sale seeks to protect both the retailers and shoppers alike. It will reinforce an important message to the public and will help to isolate the small minority of rogue retailers.

"The results of the survey were really quite alarming because they showed that there were still some unscrupulous traders willing to provide young people with a lethal cocktail of alcohol, knives and solvents, which can spill out into violence in the community."

The Evening Advertiser has long supported Trading Standards' efforts to getting knives off Swindon's streets.

In November, following the stabbing of 14-year-old Lincolnshire schoolboy Luke Walmsley, the Adver was praised by the Trading Standards Institute in a similar survey it conducted on the availability of knives.

Trading Standards head of public protection Robert Taylour has vowed to carry on making sure businesses do not sell to minors.

Since 2001 Swindon Trading Standards officers have prosecuted 10 businesses, which resulted in £40,000 fines.

Kevin Shoesmith