Teenagers have been lingering outside the Spar shop on Central Avenue and hassling customers to buy them alcoholic drinks.
A few have been successful, say police, and officers are tracking down those attempting to buy drinks as well as the young people themselves.
Sergeant Steven Wilson, based at Annan, said: “They are asking adults who are about to enter the shop to buy alcohol for them.
“We have identified one adult in relation to this and they will be being interviewed and appropriately charged for attempting to buy alcohol for children.
“We are trying to identify more of the adults.
“We are taking this opportunity to remind people that it is an offence to buy alcohol for a child. Adults who buy alcohol for children contribute to putting them at risk.”
Backing the calls from police, chairman of Gretna and Rigg Community Council Alex Thomson commented it was behaviour he did not want to see in the town.
He said: “Adults should not be buying alcoholic drinks for young kids, it’s a big no-no.
“It’s a bit irresponsible, because they don’t know the young person’s circumstances.”
People caught selling alcohol as well as those buying it for young people can be prosecuted.
A spokesman for Spar was unavailable for comment.
