Issued By Northumbria County Council

Under 18? No Sale

TRADING Standards Officers from Northumberland County Council have been carrying out late night checks on shops in the region.

Using children as young as 13, the aim was to monitor how vigilant shopkeepers are when it comes to selling alcohol to young people.

Twelve shops were visited, and 11 of those refused to sell alcohol to the under age volunteers.

The exercise, carried out in partnership with Northumbria Police, followed an extensive campaign of visits to shops by both the Police and Trading Standards Officers, and the distribution of information packs on under age sales to all alcohol retailers in Northumberland.

Mick King, Northumberland County Council Trading Standards Officer, said: “ Although the results of the test purchasing exercise are encouraging, even one sale of alcohol to a 13 year old child is one too many.”

Retailers are being warned that future exercises are being planned.

Further information is available from:

Nicola Sleightholme, Public Relations Assistant, Northumberland County Council

Tel: 01670 533252

Email: nsleightholme@northumberland.gov.uk