Consumer Protection and
Investigations Volunteers
Consumer Protection and
Investigations is committed to enforcing the laws relating to
age restricted sales. Alcohol, cigarettes, knives, fireworks and
many other products carry age restrictions. It is against the law
for a retailer to supply an age restricted product to a young
person who has not reached the appropriate age. Throughout the year
Trading Standards work alongside the police to tackle illegal sales
of age restricted products to under-aged persons.
Volunteers wanted
Consumer Protection and
Investigations regularly need young volunteers aged between 14 and
15 to assist with age restricted products test
purchasing.
Product Age Restriction
These are some of the products where
age restrictions apply:
- Alcohol - 18 years of age
- Fireworks - 18 years of age
- Cigarette lighter refills - 18 years of age
- Tobacco products - 18 years of age
- Offensive Weapons – 18 years of age
Who can volunteer?
- We use volunteers aged between 14 and 15 and the person should
not look older than the age restriction in question.
- There must be a minimum of 18 months between the age of a
volunteer and the legal age restriction.
What can I get out of it?
You will have the opportunity to work
alongside Consumer Protection and Investigations officers and the
police. This may be of interest to you if you are considering
a career in Consumer Protection and Investigations, the police, or
other enforcement agency.
You can also record the experience in your Record of Achievement or
Citizenship Portfolio.
No payment is made to the volunteers but appropriate refreshments
are provided.
What is involved?
- The volunteers will be asked to enter shops and attempt to
purchase age restricted products.
- Volunteers work under close supervision and in accordance with
best practice procedures.
- The volunteers are asked to tell the truth at all times
- The volunteers will not work in areas where they are known or
could be recognised.
- The young person is accompanied by at an officer at all
times.
- The test purchasing exercises may take place in the evenings or
weekends.
Parental consent
Parents / guardians of any
volunteers will be asked to sign a parental consent form. We will
not use any volunteers unless we have permission from their parents
/ guardian.
Interested and want to find out more?
If you think you may be interested in
taking part in a test purchasing exercise you can apply online now or if you
would like to find out more please contact us on 01270 685900.
Also see the useful sites page for more Age
Restricted Products information.
