We carry out visits to all shops that sell age-restricted products and help them make sure that they don’t break the law.
Age-restricted products
These include:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Fireworks
- DVDs
- Knives and offensive weapons
Buying on behalf of children
It is an offence to buy alcohol on behalf of children. If you are caught you could be issued with an £80 penalty notice or a court could fine you up to £5,000.
Report it
Please contact us if you know of anyone who sells age-restricted products to children, or adults who buy these products on behalf of children.
What we do
We test shops by sending in a young volunteer who tries to purchase one of these products. If you sell to our volunteers you will be prosecuted.
We also investigate cigarettes and alcohol being sold to children from houses.
Volunteer to help with our work
If you are aged 14 to 16 and want to help us with this work, please complete our Mystery Shopper volunteer form.
Strict measures are in place to ensure the safety of volunteers at all times and you must have permission from your parents or carers to take part.