Northumberland businesses investigated after selling alcohol to underage volunteer
Two Northumberland businesses are under investigation after selling alcohol to an underage volunteer during a Trading Standards and police crackdown.
In July, four test purchases were carried out in South East Northumberland using a 16-year-old volunteer who attempted to buy alcohol or vapes.
To purchase these products in the UK, by law you must be 18 years of age or over.
While two of the four shopkeepers refused the purchase, two others sold alcohol to minors.
These two business premises will now be investigated as part of Northumberland County Council’s Trading Standards ongoing enquiries.
Northumberland County Councillor Gordon Stewart, Cabinet Member for Public Safety said: “The council’s Trading Standards team routinely carries out test purchasing for products such as vapes, alcohol, tobacco and knives as part of its work to protect young people and ensure businesses are meeting their legal responsibilities.
“We know from past experience that the majority of retailers continue to be extra vigilant and act responsibly, and this operation also highlighted positive examples of staff who correctly challenged the volunteer and refused the sale."
The products sold were BuzzBallz alcoholic drinks with a 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume. They have become increasingly popular with younger consumers due to their colourful packaging, sweet flavours and their high alcohol content.
The test purchase exercise played a role in a day of action as part of Operation Safer Northumberland.
This delivers a high-visibility, multi-agency presence that reassures these communities, but prevents and disrupts anti-social behaviour, strengthens partnership working and delivers targeted enforcement where required
“The team will continue to carry out test purchase exercises to stop those who are breaking the rules,” added Cllr Stewart.