Slough Borough Council’s trading standards have started an intensive programme aimed at reducing the amount of under age sales purchases in the borough.
The Slough program includes working with local businesses to ensure they remain compliant with the relevant legislation restricting the sale of certain goods to minors.
Information trader packs will be distributed to all sellers of age restricted products in Slough and include a breakdown of the legislation surrounding certain items, the minimum age of purchase and the penalties for non-compliance.
The packs, compiled with the assistance of ‘Citizencard’, also include signs for traders, aide memoir, refusals registers and application forms for proof of age cards.
The intention is to assist traders in getting the message of “No ID, No Sale” out to under age consumers.
In addition to this, trading standards will continue carrying out test purchasing with underage volunteers, for products such as alcohol, cigarettes, knives, aerosol spray paint and fireworks.
Dean Cooke, trading standards officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “We’ve received feedback from traders in the town regarding problems with under age consumers trying to buy restricted products.
“Some youngsters have even used threatening behaviour when refused a sale. Obviously this concerned us, so we decided to open up more avenues of communication between traders and ourselves, in order to look at ways businesses can continue to trade safely, while continuing to comply with law.”
Commissioner for Slough community and leisure, Cllr Shafiq Chaudhry, added: “This is an excellent opportunity for traders to speak to the trading standards team about what we can do to help them.
“The packs contain some very good information and hopefully help the traders with any problems they have.”
The information packs will be followed up by a questionnaire to traders to allow them to feedback their concerns.
Further to this, the department are looking to run a number of trader seminars to act as a forum for shop keepers to share their experiences with trading standards and the police.
For further information, contact Slough trading standards on 01753 875255 or trading.standards@slough.gov.uk.
Slough Borough Council
