Shops in Oadby and Leicester Forest East are among those to have reported young people approaching customers.

Debbie Washington, manager of Thresher's off-licence, in The Parade, Oadby, said: "We do get people coming in and saying someone outside has asked them to get them alcohol. I've had parents coming in with their children and trying to get alcohol. "I have had to ask who they were buying it for.

"We always challenge anyone we think is trying to get alcohol for children and are all for stopping people trying to do this."

Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards spokesman Graham Coe said: "We have had a handful of complaints about adults getting alcohol for those who are under age since the start of the year - which is worrying as we didn't tend to get any before.

"We're looking to try to get some sort of equipment.

"It could be long-distance video cameras, which would allow us to find out what is happening at premises from a long range.

"This is about supporting legitimate off-licences which don't sell alcohol to under-age young people and making sure minors don't get hold of drink in any other way."

Operations have also been carried out using children going into stores to test whether staff are prepared to sell them alcohol.

Sergeant Sean Moore, Leicestershire police licensing officer, said: "This is a hot topic. Traders often say it's difficult for them when youths try to get adults to buy alcohol for them.

"Where those who are under-age get alcohol, there are well-documented cases of anti-social behaviour and we also know it's a threat to young people's health.

"We've talked with trading standards about more operations and will continue to work with it."