Traders sell knives and cigarettes to teenagers
AN undercover survey by trading standards officers has revealed more than one-in-four Wiltshire traders sold either knives or cigarettes to underage teenagers.
During the recent February half term Wiltshire County Council's trading standards department, with the assistance of a group of 15 and 16 year old volunteers, visited 124 premises to check compliance with recent changes in legislation.
On October 1 2007 the Government changed the legal age from 16 to 18 for those persons wishing to purchase cigarette products and offensive weapons (including knives).
35 retailers sold cigarettes or an offensive weapon to the young people. Of the 59 premises visited for offensive weapons, 18 sold them without requesting identification or proof of age. 65 premises were visited for cigarettes with 17 making a sale to the young volunteers.
Offensive weapons purchased included kitchen knives, replacement blades and in one instance an axe.
Sales throughout the week were made by various retailers including supermarkets, department stores, petrol stations, hardware shops and independent retailers.
Further investigations are now being carried out with the 35 retailers and the individual employees who sold these age restricted items.
Steve Clover, Wiltshire County Council's trading standards manager, said: "We are extremely disappointed with these results. Following a change in the laws governing the sales of offensive weapons and cigarettes we mounted an extensive campaign to inform and advise the retail trade in Wiltshire, including the distribution of an updated advice pack to all known retailers of such products.
"What is even more disappointing is that this latest test purchasing campaign follows on the back of a similar project in November 2006 when we found more than one in three of the retailers tested selling knives to underage teenagers."
3:50pm Friday 28th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: donteventhinkit, Corsham on 2:35pm Sat 29 Mar 08
this is hardly surprising trading standerds use volenteers who are very difficult to tell the age of the closer they appear to the required age without being the required age the better.Some of these people even look older than the required age.If trading standerds want these sales stopped they should get the law changed to require ID for the purchase of any age related product regardless of the customers apparent age.
this is hardly surprising trading standerds use volenteers who are very difficult to tell the age of the closer they appear to the required age without being the required age the better.Some of these people even look older than the required age.If trading standerds want these sales stopped they should get the law changed to require ID for the purchase of any age related product regardless of the customers apparent age.
Posted by: pachyderm, Crying upon Westminster Bridge on 9:34pm Sat 29 Mar 08
[quote]"What is even more disappointing is that this latest test purchasing campaign follows on the back of a similar project in November 2006 when we found more than one in three of the retailers tested selling knives to underage teenagers."[/quote]
SO, how many more times do you do this before taking their licence, imposing a fine and jailing the culprits?
What is the point of having a law with no teeth?
I have just read that, since the law prohibiting sale of alcohol to a person who is drunk, only ONE prosecution has been made!
May as well repeal all laws passed to prevent a problem if not used . And sack the idiots who passed the law in the first place!
"What is even more disappointing is that this latest test purchasing campaign follows on the back of a similar project in November 2006 when we found more than one in three of the retailers tested selling knives to underage teenagers."
SO, how many more times do you do this before taking their licence, imposing a fine and jailing the culprits?
What is the point of having a law with no teeth?
I have just read that, since the law prohibiting sale of alcohol to a person who is drunk, only ONE prosecution has been made!
May as well repeal all laws passed to prevent a problem if not used . And sack the idiots who passed the law in the first place!
Posted by: mickeyp, Marlborough on 10:13am Sun 30 Mar 08
These retailers have no excuse- they must demand ID if there is any doubt as to a customer's age. The retailers should be named and shamed by trading standards.
These retailers have no excuse- they must demand ID if there is any doubt as to a customer's age. The retailers should be named and shamed by trading standards.
Posted by: mickeyp, Marlborough on 10:14am Sun 30 Mar 08
These retailers have no excuse- they must demand ID if there is any doubt as to a customer's age. The retailers should be named and shamed by trading standards.
These retailers have no excuse- they must demand ID if there is any doubt as to a customer's age. The retailers should be named and shamed by trading standards.
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