BUDDING young police officers were deployed undercover to see whether or not shops and hotels in Colchester would sell them items only permitted for adults.

Youngsters from the Essex Police Cadet Unit assisted plain-clothed officers from the city centre team on Friday night with an undercover operation.

Over the course of the evening the cadets, all of under the age of 18, tried to purchase vapes and alcohol, as well as try to book hotel rooms. 

The aim was to see which establishments in the city would would adhere to their under-age policies. 

According to the police, of all the tested premises five failed.

Details of these shops or hotels have since been passed to the force’s licensing teams and Trading Standards for enforcement and education. 

Sergeant Mark Thrower of the city centre team said: "My team are dedicated officers who continually try to ensure the safety of members of the public using the city by carrying out varied operations with the assistance of partner agencies and we will continue to utilize all approaches available to keep Colchester safe."