Underage Sales
Why are under age sales a priority for Trading Standards?
How do I volunteer to become a test purchase operative and what’s involved?
I think there is a shop in my area selling alcohol to persons underage, are you the correct people to inform?
What are you doing about underage sales?
Is there an age limit for buying lighters or matches?
Why are under age sales a priority for Trading Standards?
Age restricted goods can harm the young people or their peers, and can lead to anti-social behaviour in our communities.
Youngsters drinking in the local park can lead to noise, violence and leaving broken bottles on playing fields. Spray paints can be used to cover walls in graffiti. One sniff of butane lighter gas can kill. Cigarettes have longer-term health implications and fireworks being let off in public places and cause immediate danger to people and pets.
How do I volunteer to become a test purchase operative and what’s involved?
Click on the attached link:
www3.hants.gov.uk/underagesales/underagesales-volunteers.htm
I think there is a shop in my area selling alcohol to persons underage, are you the correct people to inform?
Police deal with the on-licence trade (pubs and clubs) and Trading Standards deal with off licences. It is important you report your suspicions to the relevant enforcement agency, even if this is done anonymously.
See also: Underage Sales - Contact Us | Underage Sales Web Site
What are you doing about underage sales?
We advise businesses about their legal responsibilities and work with them to help them avoid selling age-restricted products to young people.
We also carry out test purchases, assisted by young people who, under the supervision of Trading Standards Officers, will attempt to buy age-restricted products.
Sales are investigated and they may result in cautions or prosecutions. Some sales of alcohol are dealt with by the issuing of a penalty notice of £80 by the Police.
See also: Underage Sales Web Site
Is there an age limit for buying lighters or matches?
No, currently there is no minimum age for purchasing these products, however it would be advisable to adopt a voluntary store policy not to sell to persons under 16.
See also: Underage Sales Web Site