Maidenhead & Windsor

Maidenhead Trading standards officers are continuing to clamp down on under-age sales of cigarettes across the Maidenhead borough with two more undercover operations earlier this month.

Officers visited 12 Maidenhead premises on two separate occasions, and specially trained young people aged 13 and 14 attempted to buy cigarettes while being secretly monitored by trading standards staff.

Only one Maidenhead sale was carried out, and officers are now considering what action to take against the offending trader. All the other 11 retailers asked for ID or proof of age – complying with the Maidenhead council's strong message to always ask for proof of identity such as driving licence or passport.

Officers are continuing to support the government's ongoing No ID – No Sale campaign with further test purchases on underage sales of alcohol planned for later in the year.

Steve Johnson, trading standards manager, said: "Whilst any sale is a cause for concern, we are pleased that the overall message seems to be getting through to retailers that they must always ask for proof of age and must refuse to sell age-restricted products to minors.

"If anyone suspects that retailers are selling cigarettes, alcohol or any other age-restricted product to children then they should report them to trading standards on 01628 683802."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead