Tough Lib Dems' stance "step too far" says ACS

According to the party, measures uncovered by Labour are simply an attempt to "chase headlines" and will not solve the problem.

Stores who are found to have sold alcoholic drinks to children could have licences revoked, the Liberal Democrats argued.

But chief executive at the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) James Lowman stated that the switch would be "a step too far".

"These proposals are made as part of a youth crime strategy that explains at length the negative downsides of taking too draconian an approach to the sentencing of young people," he said.

He suggested that it may not be "sensible" to take away business from retailers after a single error.