Underage buyers able to illegally purchase dangerous products in test sting operation
Underage buyers were able to illegally purchase dangerous products including a knife, alcohol, tobacco and e-cigs in shops across the east of the county in a recent enforcement sting.
Operation 'Line of Duty' involving Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Officers, Lancashire Constabulary and Pendle Borough Council Licensing Officers who visited 35 retailers following complaints and intelligence from members of the public.
Seven of these shops sold to the under-18 test purchasers during the two weeks of action in October. The irresponsible sellers will receive follow up enforcement action from the police and trading standards which could range from written warnings, licensing reviews under the Licensing Act 2003 or prosecution.
County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, believes that a one-in-five failure rate is 'just not good enough.'
He said: "I am shocked and appalled that one in five of the retailers who were tested sold to volunteers and that just isn't good enough!
"Lancashire is a Check 25 county and retail staff should be checking customers' ages if they appear to be under 25, never mind 18!
"Thank you to the vigilant members of the public who tipped us off. This is key and I would encourage any members of the public with concerns to report these to us.
"Our Trading Standards Teams and police colleagues work hard to help responsible businesses get it right, however action will be taken against those choosing not to take the legal responsibilities seriously."
Businesses are advised to operate a Check 25 policy. This means that the shop and its staff challenge every potential customer who looks under 25 and ask to see identification if the person tries to buy age-restricted goods, thus ensuring the buyer is over 18.
To report any shops not complying with the law and selling age restricted products to young people under 18 years , ring Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Service on 0808223 11 33 or online via Reporting to Trading Standards - Citizens Advice
Notes to editors
Editor's notes:
35 premises were visited in the East of the county including Burnley, Pendle & Hyndburn.
Test purchase attempts were made for fireworks (NONE were sold to the underage test buyers); tobacco (1 sale of cigarettes); alcohol (one sale); ecigs (four)and a knife .
Additionally, 115 non compliant e-cigarettes were seized from 2 of the shops.