Test purchases

We work with retailers and the police to reduce the number of the under-age sales in the borough. Test purchases are conducted to check:

• compliance with the law
• age verification practices

That means we will ask an underage volunteer to attempt to buy an age-restricted product.  

They may be covertly observed by an officer.

If a retailer is subject to a test purchase, we will inform them of the result either at the time or in writing afterwards.

We may prosecute or issue fixed penalty notices or cautions to retailers who make illegal sales. 

In cases of illegal alcohol sales, we may instigate a licensing review of the alcohol premises licence, which may result in suspension or revocation of the licence.

Under age sales test purchasing policy (DOC, 131KB)