Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service

Underage Sales Kicked into Touch

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service launched the Proof of Age Partnership in Wakefield on the 8th April. The aim of the Partnership is to reduce the number of illegal sales of age restricted goods, such as alcohol, cigarettes and fireworks to underage youngsters.

Working in partnership with West Yorkshire Police, local businesses and schools, West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service has issued approximately 5000 Validate Proof of Age cards to pupils aged 16-18 and visited 800 retailers of age restricted products.

Retailers have been advised to foster a NO CARD: NO SALE culture and refuse sales to those youngsters who cannot produce the card to prove their age. Youngsters are encouraged to carry their Proof of Age Card with them at all time to enjoy the discounts that they can obtain in many high street stores.

Launching the Partnership at The Jungle, home of Castleford Tigers Rugby League team, Councillor Graham Clarke, Chairman of West Yorkshire Joint Services said: “We have been advising retailers for many years on steps to take to avoid making illegal sales of age-restricted goods and many have claimed they have difficulty in establishing the true age of purchasers. Now there are no excuses. All retailers in the Wakefield District are being advised to refuse sales where no Proof of Age card can be produced”.

The Partnership is fully endorsed by West Yorkshire Police and Chief Inspector Nick Bartrum spoke at the launch about the major impact the Partnership would have on anti-social behaviour. West Yorkshire Police receive many calls about youths causing a nuisance and in many cases their behaviour is fuelled by alcohol. This Partnership should ensure that some of those aggravating factors are removed such as alcohol and fireworks. He added that the police were keen to work in partnership with West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service and other organisations to improve the quality of life for people living in the Wakefield District.

Castleford Tigers Rugby League Team are also fully supportive of the Partnership and are keen to encourage healthy lifestyle choices by youngsters throughout the District. Dean Sampson, Youth Development Officer with Castleford Tigers, spoke at the launch about the importance of youngsters making the right decisions when it came to issues such as smoking, drinking and also taking drugs and to think seriously about how these decisions would affect their future.

Anyone wanting to report traders who are suspected of selling age restricted products to children should ring the West Yorkshire Consumer Helpline on 0113 3848848

Notes to Editors

Picture shows pupils from The Cathedral CE High School, Hemsworth Arts College and Highfield School at The Jungle.

For further information please contact

Carol Hallett: Education and Promotions Officer: 0113 3836407

Graham Hebblethwaite: Divisional Manager and Media Contact: 0113 2898218