A mobile repair shop in Croydon has been fined £2,588.09 after Croydon Council prosecuted the store for selling a vape to a child during a test purchase.
On June 24 at Croydon Magistrates Court, Ariana Mobile and Accessories Ltd admitted selling a Pink Elf Grapefruit bar vape to a person under 18.
The council regularly checks if shops follow the law and verify age to protect children from buying things they shouldn't.
The magistrates found that there was no attempt by the member of staff at Ariana Mobile and Accessories Ltd to establish the child’s age during the test purchase in February.
An underage volunteer was instructed to attempt to buy a vape in the store and was sold one.
Two officers then entered the store and explained that an offence had taken place of a vape being sold to a person under 18, took details of the ownership of the business and issued notices.
Before the exercise, all businesses concerned had been sent a letter advising that the operation would be carried out.
The letter sent to Ariana Mobile and Accessories Ltd explained that a previous complaint had been received that it was allegedly selling vapes to under 18s.
It was found that the company did not provide training to staff on age-restricted goods and there were no refusals register or till prompts, which would remind staff to ask for identification on products.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: “I would like to thank our trading standards team on their latest successful prosecution.
“Protecting our children and young people from the dangers of age-prohibited items means making Croydon a safer and healthier place for us all to live.
“We hope that our businesses will work with us to ensure they are fulfilling their legal duties to keep our residents safe, as we continue carrying out further enforcement activities.”
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