Merton Police confiscated half a dozen bottles of 'fake' wine in Mitcham this week.

PC Russ Stevens, a licensing officer, led an operation yesterday, July 27, with Trading Standards and HMRC, to target off licenses selling cheap alcohol to customers.

Police say the shops are directly contributing to alcohol related anti social behaviour in the area. Shops are able to sell cheap alcohol to street drinkers by buying it without paying taxes or levies.

The bottles of wine confiscated, falsely labelled as Gallo Family brand, were seized in the operation along with around 100 cans of beer, according to PC Stevens.

Pictures show labels on the bottles are peeling off. Actual branded bottles have specially designed labels that prevents water penetrating the sticker.

PC Russ Stevens said he hopes the move will encourage the shops to take more responsibility for their actions.