Barking and Dagenham Council’s Trading Standards team has highlighted the results of a summer programme of underage test purchasing operations, which saw the vast majority of local businesses comply with age-restriction laws.
Of the 71 premises visited, all successfully refused sales of alcohol and tobacco products to underage volunteers, although four businesses were found to have sold vapes illegally.
The operations formed part of the council’s ongoing work to protect children and young people from accessing age-restricted products during the summer holidays.
On 21 July, Trading Standards officers carried out test purchases for vapes at 20 premises, with two businesses illegally selling vapes to 14-year-old volunteers.
Further operations on 29 July and 5 August saw all 35 businesses visited successfully refuse the sale of alcohol and tobacco products to underage volunteers.
A final round of vape test purchases on 12 August found a further two businesses selling vapes to a 14-year-old volunteer, bringing the total number of failures to four.
The council will continue working with retailers through education, advice and enforcement activity to ensure businesses meet their legal responsibilities and help keep young people safe.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “These results show that the majority of businesses in Barking and Dagenham are taking their responsibilities seriously when it comes to age-restricted products.
“It is particularly encouraging that every business tested refused to sell alcohol and cigarettes to our underage volunteers. However, the illegal sale of vapes to children remains a concern and we will continue working with businesses, alongside taking enforcement action where necessary.”
Trading Standards officers will continue carrying out regular test purchasing operations throughout the year and working with local businesses to prevent underage sales of alcohol, tobacco and vaping products.
Residents who are aware of businesses selling age-restricted products to children can report their concerns by emailing tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.