Our Community Safety Team partnered with Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards last week to conduct test purchases on businesses selling fireworks and vapes in the Neath Port Talbot area.
Police Youth Volunteers (PYVs) visited the premises to test whether they would follow the protocol regarding selling these items to underage children.
Of the five businesses visited, two were selling fireworks, and pleasingly, both immediately asked the PYVs to confirm whether they were over 18.
Of the remaining businesses, one in Rhyd-y-fro sold a vape to a 15-year-old volunteer.
Enquiries were then conducted with both the seller and the store manager, resulting in over 100 suspected illegal disposable vapes being seized by Trading Standards colleagues. 84 were later returned after having been found to be legal following further scrutiny.
Further enquiries will be made by Trading Standards with a local wholesaler who is the reported source of the disposable vapes, which have been illegal since earlier this year.
Two further shops in Neath were also tested and refused sales after asking for ID as soon as the volunteers entered.
PCSO Andrew Neal said:
“The laws around the sale of fireworks and vapes to children are there for a reason – both can be extremely dangerous when in irresponsible hands.
“It is pleasing that the vast majority of the businesses visited during this operation were found to be compliant with legislation, yet it is equally disappointing to find that one business was still caught selling products to children and later found to be stocking illegal items.
“This was also a great showcase for the important work carried out by our Police Youth Volunteers – well done to those involved.”
Councillor Cen Phillips said:
“Enforcement agencies share intelligence on this kind of activity and coordinate action where possible to protect the public and to help prevent anti-social behaviour.
“Trading Standards carry out routine test purchasing and testing and advise business on their obligations in respect of underage sales and product safety, taking enforcement action where necessary to ensure that all products sold in our community are safe. We welcome this opportunity to work together and share information to benefit the public.”
“If you are aware of the illegal sale of age restricted goods, please call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133.”
