Havering Council’s licensing and trading standards teams have been out across the borough to prevent local retailers selling vapes and other age-restricted goods to young people aged under 18.
The teams recently visited 10 different premises in Upminster, Elm Park, Romford, Collier Row, Rainham and Hornchurch, with volunteers all aged under 18 as part of the operation.
The volunteers helped officers by going into the businesses to attempt to buy alcohol or a vape, also known as e-cigarettes.
All products are illegal to anyone under the age of 18 to purchase. They also went into salons and attempted to book a sunbed.
All businesses visited on this particular operation, refused to sell any of the age-restricted items to the young people.
If a business is found to be selling age-restricted goods to those underage, they are issued with warnings if it is a first offence.
Council officers will then work with them to support on training and ensuring they understand and comply with regulations.
All businesses are re-visited and any further failures may result in a review of their licence or prosecution.
Even if a business does pass the test, they are also re-visited unannounced at any time.
The Council’s licensing and trading standards teams also work with businesses to encourage them to sign up to the Challenge 25 Scheme.
This scheme encourages young people to carry ID and for retailers to ask for that ID if they think the person looks younger.
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:
“This is a great example of our local businesses playing a key role in helping us keep our young people safer across the borough by not selling goods to anyone under the legal age.
“While no business broke the rules on this particular operation, our teams are regularly making these visits, so we can make sure everyone is complying.
“We will always take the strongest possible action on those that don’t comply, which may include prosecution.”