Illegal sales crackdown ahead of Bonfire Night
Lancashire Country Council's Trading Standards team have joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary to crack down on illegal sales by retailers, including fireworks, in the run-up to Bonfire Night on Sunday, November 5.
Using a team of volunteers aged 14-16 years old, these underage test buyers visited 42 shops across West Lancs, Chorley, Hyndburn, South Ribble, Preston and Burnley. They tried to buy age-restricted products including fireworks, alcohol, vapes and cigarettes, which you must use proof that you are over 18 years of age to purchase.
Of these, eight retailers failed the test and sold an age-restricted product to the underage volunteers.
Officers also discovered a number of illegal vapes in one in five of the shops and more than 1,000 vapes with a street value of £10,000 were seized, other goods seized included illicit cigarettes and counterfeit i-phone covers.
County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for Health & Wellbeing said: "Our Trading Standards team joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary to concentrate their efforts during half term, on the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night, to ensure our young people are protected.
"We want to protect our communities from illicit sales of fireworks, alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes.
"I was very pleased to see firework retailers being responsible with no sales being made during the test purchase attempts.
"On the other hand, it was very disappointing when shops were found to be selling illegal vapes and illicit cigarettes.
"We are keen to take action against businesses who are prepared to exploit young people in Lancashire and we welcome residents reporting any suspicions about such retailers.
"Special thanks must go the young people who volunteer to assist our Trading Standards Team in undertaking these test purchasing exercises. They are a credit to themselves in the work that they do for their local community."
Lancashire Constabulary's Chief Inspector Chris Abbott, said: “Selling these products to children is not only against the law but can put these young people at significant harm and can often lead to anti-social behaviour (ASB).
“Operation Centurion is Lancashire Police’s response to tackling ASB and we will continue to work with our partners to carry out similar operations. Robust action will be taken against those who disregard their responsibilities.”
To report the sale of age-restricted products to young people, call the Trading Standards team via Citizens Advice on 0808 223 113.
Young people aged 14-16 who are interested in volunteering to help with test purchasing exercises can email their details to tsdo@lancashire.gov.uk