Business information

Hertfordshire Trading Standards tackle underage sales of alcohol and cigarettes

Nine shopkeepers were caught by Hertfordshire Trading Standards selling alcohol and/or cigarettes to underage customers during a five-day operation carried out across the county.

Volunteers aged 15 and 16 visited 48 shops which were targeted following complaints or intelligence pointing to underage sales taking place.

Of the 32 licensed premises at which volunteers attempted to buy alcohol, six carried out sales. Of the 16 shops at which volunteers attempted to buy cigarettes, three carried out sales.

County Councillor Richard Smith, Executive Member for Community Safety, said: "We were pleased to discover that the majority of shops were abiding by the law, but unfortunately there were some that decided to ignore it.

"Underage sales of alcohol or cigarettes is not something that we are prepared to tolerate. Anyone selling age-restricted goods should adopt an 'Challenge 21' policy - if a customer looks under 21, then they should be asked to prove that they are 18."

Acceptable forms of identification are PASS-approved ID cards, photo driving licences or passports.

Hertfordshire Trading Standards is investigating the circumstances of each of the offences and will consider imposing fixed penalty fines of £80 or prosecution where appropriate.

"Persistent offenders may have their licences reviewed and maybe even revoked using powers under the Licensing Act, but we hope that operations such as this will serve as a deterrent and offending shopkeepers will buck up their ideas," said Richard Smith.

Members of the public can report shops which are selling alcohol or cigarettes to underage customers to Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.