If you know a premises which sells age restricted products to underage children,
"DON'T IGNORE IT. REPORT IT." using one of the following methods:

REPORT IT
(Online form to report underage sales)

or
TELEPHONE  0151 691 8020  /  08454 04 05 06

Legislation prohibits the sale of certain products to persons under certain ages. This section of our website is designed to guide you through the requirements of the law and assist you in complying with it.

Laws related to underage sales exist to safeguard the health of young people and reduce community disorder. The information found here is aimed at offering advice and is not an exhaustive list. It is not a definitive statement of the law and does not include any possible future amendments.

DON'T IGNORE IT. REPORT IT.  
A number of consumer goods are age restricted, making it illegal to sell or supply them to people who have not reached the required age. (i.e. selling alcohol to under 18s). Laws relating to underage sales exist to safeguard the health of young people and reduce community disorder. If you know of a retailer selling age restricted products to people under the age of 18, you can report it to Trading Standards 08454 04 05 06.

Think 25  [MORE INFO]
Wirral Trading Standards, in partnership with other agencies, have launched a "Think 25" campaign, and encourage all licensed premises to challenge anybody who looks under 25 for proof of age. This initiative is designed to help people selling age restricted products (alcohol, tobacco, fireworks, etc) to refrain from making illegal sales to children under the age of 18. Any person who looks under 25 should be asked to prove their age with valid proof of age identification. If somebody challenged then produces valid proof of age, to show they are over 18, they can be served. If the person challenged is unable to produce proof of age they should be refused, and an entry made in the refusals register accordingly.

Trading Standards recommend all premises in Wirral who sell age restricted products to adopt this measure. We understand that customers may take offence at being asked to prove their age at first, but the more they are asked, the less likely they are to take offence. If the policy is clearly explained to customers, including the reasons behind it, we hope that the majority of people will understand. For more information about this initiative, and to see our publicity material click here.

Advice For Retailers  [MORE INFO]
Some of the legislation governing underage sales have defences available, namely that the accused took all reasonable precaution and exercised all due dilligence to avoid committing the offence. For more information click here.

Volunteers Required
Wirral Trading Standards need your help! We are currently looking for Underage Sales Volunteers to assist us in preventing underage sales in Wirral. Click Here for more information.