News

Launch of Kent Community Alcohol Partnership

The Kent Community Alcohol Partnership is aimed at changing attitudes to drinking among young people and supporting retailers to reduce sales of alcohol to underage drinkers. The idea is to inform and advise young people on sensible drinking limits and help local communities to tackle alcohol related problems.

The scheme was launched in November 2008 at the Maidstone branch of Sainsburys. Kent Trading Standards officers joined with colleagues from the industry and many other agencies, including Kent Police and the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group which represents major retailers, backed by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. See the news release for full details.

The scheme will focus on three key pilot areas in Thanet, Canterbury and Sevenoaks.

Anyone keen to give their views on the issues relating to the sale of alcohol and underage drinking should contact Kent Trading Standards on 08458 247 247 or email trading.standards@kent.gov.uk

 

Alcohol & Fireworks don't mix - Kent crackdown on underage sales

Kent Trading Standards carried out three test purchasing operations over the half term period across the county following reports of anti-social behaviour. Volunteers aged 15 and 16, visited stores in Gravesham and Maidstone and were sold rockets and cans of lager by three retailers in the area. A fourth retailer also sold fireworks to a volunteer. In total 40% of the visited premises sold to the volunteers during the operation.  See the news release.

 

Two operations - 1 great success!

Officers from Kent Trading Standards, the UK Border Agency, Kent Police and FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) joined forces for Operation Occasion – an operation targeting those believed to be responsible for the production and distribution of counterfeit DVDs and illegal immigration.

Acting on intelligence the law enforcement agencies swooped on a car boot sale in Pedham, Swanley.

Nearly 40 officers were involved in the operation which resulted in the arrest of 17 Chinese nationals.  See the news release for more information.

 

Publishing companies targeting good trader schemes

We are warning all members of our Buy with Confidence scheme and businesses belonging to other approved trader schemes  that there are various publishing houses, often based in the North East, contacting small businesses by telephone and giving the misleading impression they are working in association with the scheme. They claim to be selling advertising in a magazine produced in association with the emergency services.

Please do not engage with any of these cold-callers, and do not give them your card details. We do not support any such publishing activity and any claims about any association with Buy With Confidence or the emergency services should be reported to us as suspicious.

 

Animal Disease outbreaks

For the latest news on animal disease outbreaks please visit our animal health news page.