Targeting under-age sales of cigarettes and alcohol

A large majority of retailers across the borough refused to sell alcohol and cigarettes to young people in an undercover operation mounted by Rochdale Borough Council.

The test purchasing exercise, run by the council’s Public Protection Service, saw two 15-year old volunteers attempting to purchase age restricted products during August.

A total of 30 premises were targeted during the three day survey with the young people able to buy cigarettes from five of the 20 premises they visited but unable to buy alcohol from any of an additional ten stores.

The main focus of the cigarette survey was to visit members of the Responsible Retailer Scheme (RRS) and some non members who sold cigarettes. A total of 16 stores which are members of the scheme were visited, of whom three allowed sales to go ahead.

All five retailers who sold cigarettes during the exercise are now being investigated by the council and could face future legal proceedings.

The RRS requires that members of the scheme operate a ‘Challenge 25’ policy and ask to see photographic ID for any customers who appear to be under 25 and are attempting to buy age restricted products.

Regular test purchasing exercises are carried out by the Public Protection Service to ensure traders are complying with the law relating to the sale of age restricted products.

Councillor Terry Linden, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It is encouraging that so many of our retailers act in a responsible way over age restricted products.

“We are not complacent, however, and will continue to identify those stores that let their communities down by supplying cigarettes and alcohol to young people.”