BRACKNELL Forest stores are being urged to make sure their staff are fully trained to comply robustly with age verification laws.
A new Responsible Retailer Scheme is being launched to support them in this.
A recent case, where a Bracknell store and its director was prosecuted for the illegal sale of alcohol to a minor, highlights the issues.
Last week Bracknell Forest Council’s Trading Standards officers and the Public Protection Partnership’s (PPP) Case Management Unit successfully prosecuted Mr Molotr Singh, director of J M S FOOD & WINE LTD trading as Spar, at 6 Crown Row, Bracknell.
Mr Singh pleaded guilty to breaching section 146(1) of the Licensing Act 2003 by selling an age-restricted product to a minor.
In March last year, a 15-year-old volunteer visited the Spar store, accompanied by PPP officers.
Selecting a single can of Smirnoff Vodka and Cranberry, they took this to the till.
The sales assistant did not request any ID from the underage volunteer, nor did they ask the volunteer their age, or make any other attempt to verify this.
At Reading Magistrate’s Court last week the company and its director pleaded guilty to the offences and were each fined £346 and ordered to pay £500 contribution towards the prosecution costs.
The director was also ordered to pay a victim’s surcharge of £148.
These prosecutions highlight the ongoing efforts by Trading Standards to protect young people from harmful products such as vapes, alcohol, and tobacco.
The Public Protection Partnership is urging all retailers to ensure their staff are properly trained and that robust age-verification procedures are in place, and the service will soon be launching a Responsible Retailer Scheme to support businesses to ensure compliance with the law.
Cllr Iskandar Jefferies, cabinet member with responsibility for public protection, said: “This prosecution sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the sale of age-restricted products to children in Bracknell Forest.
“Protecting young people from harm is a priority, and retailers have a legal duty to ensure robust age-verification checks are in place.
“We urge all businesses to make sure their staff are properly trained and confident to ask for ID every time it’s needed.
“Our Trading Standards team will continue to carry out checks and take enforcement action where necessary.
“We are launching our Responsible Retailer Scheme, which will help businesses stay compliant and support those who do the right thing.”
Retailers and members of the public are encouraged to report suspected under age sales to email the Trading Standards team at: TSAdvice@westberks.gov.uk.
For more information, visit: bracknell-forest.gov.uk
