RETAILERS selling alcohol have been praised by Barnet Council's trading standards department following an underage sales swoop that found only one shop selling to under-18s.

The operation, one of nearly 20 run throughout the year to test the sale of age-restricted products, saw police cadets visit 22 premises across the borough last Monday and Thursday.

The offending shop is currently under investigation by trading standards officers, who will make a decision whether to take any further action.

The latest operation saw the lowest results of all operations this year.

Since the start of 2009, eight raids have prevented five sales of cigarettes, two sales of 18-rated computer games, three sales of alcohol and one knife sale to under-18 aged police cadets.

The sales resulted in two warning letters from the trading standards department and three £80 fixed penalty notices issued by the police.

Police are considering whether to take further action against the other premises, which remain under investigation.

In April 2008 to March 2009, eight retailers were given a formal caution or prosecuted for selling underage goods.

Councillor Matthew Offord, cabinet member for community safety and community engagement, said: "We have always been very clear that underage sales operations are not about entrapment of retailers, which is why results like this latest one are very encouraging.

"Our trading standards officers have worked hard over recent years to drive home the message that selling age-restricted products to underage young people is unacceptable and will lead to prosecution and potential loss of licences for offending parties.

"This latest operation shows that education is working."

Barnet inspector Simon Roberts, who jointly ran the operation, said: "The vast majority of retailers must be congratulated on the steps they are taking to tackle the misuse of alcohol.

"Alcohol is linked to anti-social behaviour, violence, low level crime, and increased fear of crime.

"We should, however, understand that in Barnet the vast majority of young people are good model citizens and should not be stigmatised."