Undercover work to see if shops sell age restricted products!
Catch Underage Sales (ages 14 to 16): Help stop stores from selling age-restricted products like vapes, alcohol, and tobacco to minors by making test purchases.
You need to be able to follow instructions well, be reliable and confident to find, look at and purchase items in retail premises in a calm manner.
You will be asked to enter shops and attempt to purchase age restricted products acting as a regular member of the public would. Don't worry, our officers will be there (either in person or remotely) all the time!
Volunteers will always require written consent from a parent or guardian before taking part and will not be asked to visit premises near where they live, close to their school or anywhere they are likely to be recognised.
Young people will be collected from home and returned. Although volunteers are not paid, we do provide meal and refreshments during operations and a voucher to the value of £20 redeemable in a major high street retailer.
A certificate that can be used for Record of Achievement / Citizenship portfolios is also provided. Some volunteers have used participation in test purchase operations as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. It also looks good on your college or University applications!
Mission Statement
The Trading Standards service exists to:
- Protect individuals, communities and businesses from harm and financial loss
- Help business to thrive by maintaining a fair trading environment
- Improve the health and wellbeing of people and communities
- Fulfil our statutory responsibilities to deliver consumer and public protection services across Buckinghamshire and Surrey
