POLICE have used new powers under the Licensing Act to prevent an off-licence selling booze to under-age youngsters.

The powers enabled officers to shut TJ's Superstore, Northend Road, Slade Green, despite having no first-hand evidence.

They were reacting to complaints by residents about gangs of up to 40 young people gathering in the children's playground in nearby Arthur Street, drinking and causing disorder and criminal damage.

The youths gathered most nights of the week, but the problem was worse on Friday and Saturday.

Glenys Rogers from Bexley's Community Safety Partnership said residents pointed to the shop as the source of the alcohol and when asked, the youngsters readily admitted they had bought the drink at TJ's Superstore.

She added the shop manager had been spoken to and offered help and support if he was being intimidated into selling the drinks, but the problem continued.

Police cadets had been used to "test purchase" alcohol to provide evidence for a prosecution.

But the manager refused to sell to young people he did not know.

On February 17, the manager of the shop's off-licence was served with an order to close the premises for 24 hours.

A day later, the order was renewed for another 24 hours as police feared there would be more drink sold leading to further disorder in Arthur Street over the weekend.

Bexley magistrates reviewed the order and extended it, pending a review of the licence on Friday.

At the request of police, the shop was allowed to reopen but has been ordered to clear all alcohol from its shelves.

Operations manager Chief Inspector Steve Murrant said the decision to make an order under the Licensing Act had not been taken lightly.

He said: "This is the first time it has been used and resulted in the closure of a premises and the subsequent loss of trade."

Safer Neighbourhoods team leader for Slade Green, Sergeant Ross McKibbin, said the action demonstrated police would not tolerate the sale of alcohol to under-18s in Bexley.

If you have information or concerns about under-age drinking in the Slade Green area, call 020 8721 2023.