A Havering business will have its licence reviewed after staff there sold alcohol to a young person aged under 18.

Havering Council’s Trading Standards officers are currently putting together an action plan to discuss with the Gidea Park business.

It is working with them to offer education, support and advice to help prevent future under age sales.

The licence will also be reviewed with possible additional conditions.

The business can’t be named at this time as investigations are currently ongoing.

The action follows the Council’s officers making unannounced visits across the borough recently.

Checking that local retailers are not selling age-restricted products such as fireworks, vapes and alcohol, to young people aged under 18.

The teams visited 12 different premises in Upminster, Romford, Collier Row, Harold Hill, Gidea Park and Hornchurch, with volunteers all aged under 18 as part of the operation.

The volunteers help officers by going into the businesses to attempt to buy fireworks, alcohol or vape, also known as e-cigarettes.  

These products are illegal to anyone under the age of 18 to purchase.

Out of the 12 businesses visited, only one sold alcohol, with all the others refusing to sell the products to the young volunteers.

Any business found selling the products to those underage, could face prosecution and the loss of their licence.

Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:

“It’s a concern that one business did sell alcohol to our young volunteer, but we will work with them to ensure that this does not happen again.

“Our officers are here to make sure that we can protect our young people and also support businesses to uphold the law.

“Our teams are regularly making these visits, so we can make sure everyone is continuing to comply.

"We will always take the strongest possible action on those that don’t comply, which may include prosecution.”

Published: 19 November 2024