STOWMARKET mayor Frank Whittle is calling for the police and trading standards to be more vigilant about under age drinkers after a spate of crime in the community.

STOWMARKET mayor Frank Whittle is calling for the police and trading standards to be more vigilant about under age drinkers after a spate of crime in the community.

Mr Whittle, who is also chairman of Mid Suffolk District Council's licensing committee, wants to see licensed businesses facing more prosecutions and heavy fines for over 18s who buy alcohol for those who are under age.

His comments come after Chief Inspector Paul Sharp, a district commander based at the town, revealed that violent offences are up.

Mr Whittle said: “I have growing concerns about the amount of under age drinking in the district. I can understand the difficulty in being definite about the age of young people today, especially with young girls who make themselves look older.”

But a spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary said: “There are no major problems with underage people being sold alcohol in mid Suffolk, but it is an issue which does persist and we continue to tackle it where concerns arise”