Some products can only be sold to persons of a certain age. This means they are "age-restricted" and should not be sold to underage persons. This helps to prevent anti-social behaviour, reduces risks to health and improves the safety of the community. We work with the police to combat the illegal sale of age-restricted products (such as alcohol, tobacco and knives) to young people.
We work with the police and other agencies to monitor the type of products being sold and to come up with ways of dealing with problem traders.
We carry out targeted test purchasing exercises to check that businesses are obeying the law. Young people under the permitted age are sent into shops to ask for an age-restricted item. This method tests the procedures that traders have in place and helps us pinpoint problems and take action to put things right.
Business Compliance Team
Open 9am–5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
