A crackdown on alcohol sales to minors is paying off in the U.K., according to government officials.

Reuters reported Oct. 11 that undercover agents found that underage buyers were able to obtain alcohol on about 15 percent of attempts in 2007, down from 20 percent in 2006 and 50 percent in 2004. Pubs and retail stores were among the 2,683 liquor outlets targeted by the Tackling Underage Sales of Alcohol Campaign.

Tough penalties and efforts by the alcohol industry to cut down on sales to underage drinkers also were credited. Fines of up to 10,000 pounds, three-month alcohol sales bans and license reviews are among the penalties faced by establishments that sell alcohol to youths under age 18.