Police are appealing for teenagers to help them with some undercover detective work.

They are on the look-out for fourteen and fifteen-year-olds to assist in test purchasing exercises and have already been liasing with a number of different youth organisations in the Area.

The budding detectives will be rewarded with a certificate, which can be used as proof of community involvement for school citizen schemes.

The children will be accompanied at all times by two adults from either Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards or the Police, and they will not be required to carry out test purchases in their hometown or near their school.

The operations target retailers suspected of selling alcohol, cigarettes and other age restricted goods to people who are under age. If the child is served and supplied with items illegally, the officers will then step in to take the necessary action.

Applicants must be fourteen or fifteen years old, and appear their own age or younger.

For further information, please contact Sergeant Lara Stevenson on 01727 796076.

Applicants’ details will then be collated and passed on to Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards.