Shops Caught Out Selling Booze and Vapes to Teen Police Cadets
Police Cadets Test Shops in Sittingbourne and Sheerness
Five police cadets, aged 14 to 16, teamed up with officers from Sittingbourne and Sheerness on Saturday 29 January 2022 to tackle underage sales. The young volunteers hit 11 local shops, trying to buy alcohol and e-cigarettes in a sting operation aimed at protecting youngsters.
Some Shops Play by the Rules, Others Flout the Law
- Three Sittingbourne stores and two in Sheerness correctly refused to sell without ID.
- But one Sittingbourne shop sold a cadet two e-cigarettes, and another sold alcohol without checking ID.
- In Sheerness, a shop handed over two e-cigarettes, while a wine shop slipped up and sold alcohol to a cadet under-age.
- One Sittingbourne shop nearly sold alcohol but changed its mind, while another in Sheerness asked for cash before refusing the sale.
Fines and Warnings Handed Out
Police issued penalty notices to the shops caught selling alcohol illegally. The stores that sold e-cigarettes got official warnings. Trading Standards have now been alerted to launch their own probes.
Inspector Stoner Slams Rule-Breaking
“We regularly carry out test purchases to ensure local businesses stick to the law,” said Swale Community Safety Unit Inspector Paul Stoner. “Businesses owe it to our communities to act responsibly. It’s disappointing when some don’t play by the rules. “This isn’t about naming and shaming. It’s about making sure everyone understands their duty to protect young people.”
