Trading Standards officers have found two Cambridgeshire businesses selling age-restricted products to children during a series of test purchasing operations carried out across the county.
The exercises were conducted over the summer by Cambridgeshire County Council's Trading Standards team, working alongside Volunteer Police Cadets in Cambridgeshire, aged between 14 and 16, and licensing teams from the City and District Councils.
The cadets attempted to purchase age-restricted products, including alcohol, vapes and tobacco, from 26 premises. The businesses involved were selected following complaints and intelligence suggesting they may have been selling age-restricted goods to underage individuals.
Most businesses demonstrated good practice, with staff challenging the cadets about their age and refusing sales where appropriate.
However, two premises sold age-restricted products to an underage cadet and are now under investigation.
The activity forms part of Trading Standards' ongoing work to tackle the illegal sale of age-restricted products to children and young people.
Peter Gell, Head of Trading Standards at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "Selling these products to children can have serious impacts on their health and wellbeing. Young people may not fully understand the long-term risks associated with using products such as tobacco and vapes at an early age.
"Our work with partners to identify and take action against businesses that break the law will continue. These exercises play an important role in protecting young people and ensuring retailers meet their legal responsibilities.
"With changes to legislation relating to tobacco and vape sales coming into force in the future, it is vital that businesses remain vigilant. Retailers should ensure staff receive appropriate training, along with regular refresher training, and that robust procedures are in place to prevent underage sales."
Inspector Hayley Thind, from Prevention, Custody and Partnerships at Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: “The Volunteer Police Cadets promote good citizenship and have done a fantastic job in assisting our Trading Standards colleagues with this operation.
“The cadets’ on-going support of operations such as this is testament to their resilience and ability to work under pressure, so well done to them.
“I am glad to see that the vast majority of local businesses complied with legislation and kept the young people in our communities safe.”
The work is funded by Cambridgeshire County Council's Public Health team, helping Trading Standards and its partners protect young people from the harms associated with alcohol, tobacco and vaping products.
Trading Standards is encouraging retailers to review their age-verification policies and ensure staff consistently challenge anyone who appears under the age of 25.
If you have concerns about young people accessing alcohol in your local area, please report these to Cambridgeshire Police online. Information about shops selling vapes or tobacco products to children under the age of 18 can be reported to Trading Standards advice partner, Citizens Advice Consumer Service, on 0808 223 1133 Monday to Friday or via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service online form over the weekend. You can remain anonymous if you wish.
