Eleven Preston and South Ribble shops tested in illegal vape sales crackdown

Eleven premises across Preston and South Ribble were tested on underage sales of alcohol and vapes.

On Friday a test purchasing operation was conducted by Preston’s Neighbourhood Policing team and Lancashire County Council Trading Standards.

One premises failed to ask for ID and sold a vape to the underage volunteer. The shop in question is now being investigated – but police and the local authority have not named the shop at this stage.

Angela Lomax, Trading Standards manager at Lancashire County Council said: “This operation focused on intelligence about some of the most complained-about businesses in the county.”

Inspector Dave Byrne from Preston Police said: “We were pleased to see that during this operation, most of the shops that we visited were complying with the law, but we can’t become complacent.”

“Selling alcohol and vapes to children is not only against the law but can also put them at serious risk so we will continue to listen to community concerns and work alongside Trading Standards to tackle this issue.”

If you have concerns about age-restricted products being sold to young people, make a report via Citizens Consumer Advice Service on 0808 223 1133 or the Citizens Advice site.

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