Council and democracy

Store fined for underage alcohol sale

At the court hearing on 13 June, Croydon magistrates heard that trading standards officers had sent the volunteer test purchasers into Best Food, at 259-261 London Road, Croydon, as part of their series of test purchases to ensure alcohol is not being sold to youths.

The trading standards volunteers were able to buy a bottle of WKD Original Vodka and were not challenged about their age by the shop assistant. Following the visit the sales assistant was issued an £80 penalty notice for disorder by a police officer. Neither the licensee nor the designated premises supervisor was at the shop at the time of the sale.

Said cabinet member for safety and cohesion, Councillor Steve O'Connell: "The age restrictions on children buying alcohol is not a new concept. These traders knew what the limits are, but either they chose to disregard them, were blasé or just careless. Whatever the reason, allowing children to get hold of alcohol so easily is extremely worrying. If this has happened in a test purchase then it's likely to have happened before. It's certainly an offence that we are determined to crack down on."
 
Councillor O'Connell said the council would also be continuing its test purchase programme for other age-restricted goods such as knives and cigarettes. Around 100 premises are visited each year. In each case trading standards officers escort the authorised underage purchasers, who are observed while in the shop and then accompanied back to a car.

Young volunteer purchasers acting for the council are obliged to follow a national code of conduct and must admit their age if challenged. Children are only used if they look their age and the council is always looking for new recruits. Anyone who knows of a child between the age of 13 and 16 who would be interested in becoming a volunteer is asked to contact the council on 020 8407 1311.