SMALLER retailers are taking the brunt of antisocial behaviour from youngsters who are refused cigarettes and alcohol.

Over half of staff working in grocery stores who refused to serve under-age products have been victims of violent crime according to a nationwide survey by the trade magazine Independent Retail News.

The survey showed that more than 50 per cent of independent retailers said they had been abused or attacked in the last 12 months, mainly for refusing to sell alcohol and cigarettes to minors.

Suzanne Towell, a supervisor who works for Alldays Stores Ltd in Parkstone, is one of many retailers who has been subjected to abuse merely for obeying the law.

She said: "I was attacked by a young man who was under 16 who I refused to serve cigarettes to.

"He threw a Cadbury's Creme Egg at me, so I shouted after him. Then he spat at me and punched me in the face. He knows he won't get served here any more.

"We get trouble at least once a week, mainly from under 16-year-olds."

Her store is part of a co-operative partnership which involves the local beat officer and other retailers in the area.

Wayne Sheppard, an executive member of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce and the secretary of Winton Traders Association, said: "I am not at all surprised by the statistics. The problem is worse for the traders on the periphery of the town but a lot of it comes down to low policing numbers due to an over-concentration of resources in the town centre.

"Last year we had a lot of problems in one specific area of Winton, which affected six or seven shops, and the police response was very good. They sent an unmarked car down there and provided extra patrols.

"I would recommend that the smaller stores join either their local traders' association or Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce who are acknowledged by Bournemouth council and the police authority."

Inspector Neil MacBean, from Bournemouth Central Division, said: "We do not divert staff as a matter of course. In fact we pay officers overtime for working in the centres at weekends to avoid weakening numbers in other divisions."

First published: August 21