Alcohol sold to under-age teens (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Alcohol sold to under-age teens

LAST year 14 retailers in Wiltshire sold alcohol, tobacco or fireworks to under-age teenagers.

The transactions were made during a series of test purchases made by the Wiltshire County Council consumer watchdog, Trading Standards.

Trading Standards manager Steve Clover said: "It is extremely disappointing that in 2003 ten retailers sold alcohol, three sold cigarettes and one sold fireworks to under-age volunteers."

He said that two companies had been successfully prosecuted and ten others cautioned.

But he added: "We must congratulate the vast majority of retailers who did not sell age-restricted goods to our volunteers.

Mr Clover said that this showed that most businesses are listening to the important message that shop workers must always ask for proof of indentification if they think a customer may be too young to buy certain products.

He said: "They should always ask for proof of identity if they have any doubts over the age of a person who is asking to buy items such as cigarettes and alcohol.''

Trading Standards will be sending advice and information to all retailers about how best to ensure they do not break the laws on the sales of alcohol, National Lottery products, tobacco products, solvents and fireworks.

Officers are also proposing to mount a further series of test purchases involving young volunteers to ensure these types of products are not being sold to people who are not old enough.

The authority will also continue to promote and support both the Validate UK and Citizencard proof of age identity schemes in schools throughout Wiltshire.

Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, cabinet member for environment, transport and economic development, said: "We place a high priority on ensuring goods such as fireworks and alcohol are not sold to under-age children.

"Not only is it against the law but it is potentially dangerous to the children to whom they are sold.

"It is an important part of the work we undertake to protect and promote consumer safety of people in Wiltshire.''