Peterborough off-licence faces investigation over history of underage alcohol sales and reports of children as young as 10 buying vapes
A Peterborough off-licence is to have its licence reviewed after reports of alcohol and nicotine products being sold to children.
Cambridgeshire Police has requested that Peterborough City Council review the licence of Westgate News on Westgate after their enquiries suggest that the shop engages in ‘persistent and systemic sale of alcohol, vapes and nicotine products to children.’
The force has confirmed evidence that a 14-year-old girl was sold vodka, a vape and a soft drink by staff on January 1, 2026.
During a compliance visit on January 15, several other licence breaches were also found, including: no personal licence holder being present during alcohol sales, failure to maintain staff training records and failure to comply with CCTV retention requirements.
Cambridgeshire Police has said that it has received consistent intelligence demonstrating a clear pattern of unlawful sales.
Intelligence received in June suggests that a 12-year-old child was sold a vape in the shop on June 6 and that the shop has a reputation amongst school-age children as a reliable source of age-restricted products.
Reports going back to last year indicate that the shop sold vapes to children as young as 10 with reports of buzz balls, snuz and other alcohol products being sold to children.
The police’s closing statement read: “The volume, consistency, and longevity of intelligence- combined with evidential incidents and enforcement action—demonstrate that this premises is systematically undermining the licensing objectives, particularly in respect of children.
"The latest intelligence confirms that these issues remain ongoing, necessitating decisive action by the Licensing Authority.”
Peterborough City Council’s licencing team must now take action to respond to the concerns of the police.