Arbroath is the latest Angus town to sign up to the Age Restricted Sales Initiative, a scheme that aims to take the uncertainty out of selling various items that are subject to different age restrictions.

Tayside Police, Angus Council, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Focus on Alcohol Angus along with shopkeepers, supermarkets and publicans within the Arbroath area have forged a partnership with a view to tackling this issue.

It follows the roll-out of age restricted sales initiatives in Kirriemuir, Carnoustie and Monifieth.

The scheme hopes to eradicate the confusion that can sometimes arise for retailers and their staff in relation to ‘age restricted products’, such as the need to understand mixed age legislation, ensure staff awareness and training, keep abreast of information regarding changes in the law, and to deal correctly with refusals.

Confusion or a lack of awareness can result in items getting into the wrong hands which can in turn lead to personal harm or anti-social behaviour, particularly amongst younger people.

Age restricted products are goods that cannot be sold by law to anyone under a prescribed age. A few examples are alcohol, cigarettes, spray paints, solvents and glues, some DVDs, computer games and knives.

The aim of the Age Restricted Sales Initiative is to simplify matters and make 21 the age of entitlement for all varied age restricted products.

Anyone who appears to be under 21-years-old will be asked and required to show proof of entitlement. (for example a Young Scot Card or any Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) card, photo driving licence or passport).

Inspector Ron McNaughton, Community Safety Unit, Eastern Division, said:

‘‘Arbroath is the latest Angus town to sign up and this demonstrates the retailers’ commitment to help to reduce anti-social behaviour and promote appropriate access to age restricted goods within their own local communities.

 

‘‘Alcohol misuse amongst young people is very much a concern and this scheme assists our own Operation Dry Up initiative by providing a proactive approach in reducing the opportunities as a supply route to under age drinkers.

 

‘‘The message is simple if you don’t look 21 years of age and you want to buy an age restricted product, get your proof of entitlement ready, or you will be leaving empty handed.''

Commenting on the initiative’s roll-out, Angus Council’s vice-convener of Infrastructure Services, David Fairweather, said:

‘‘This shows that effective police and council joint action can support the business community, as we work together to address the health and anti-social behaviour issues related to age restricted products for the benefit of the citizens of Angus.’’

Each business premises that joins the scheme will have application forms for Young Scot available for anyone without any of proof of entitlement.

A Code of Practice on age restricted products has been created for the initiative. This is supported by NHS Tayside, Focus on Alcohol Angus, BII Scotland, The Scottish Retail Consortium, Youth Justice Forum in Angus, Federation of Small Businesses, Tayside Police and Angus Council. This covers all age restricted items, including alcohol and tobacco, for sale.

Retailers are also being encouraged to treat identified products that are not legislated through age restriction, but are associated with anti-social or harmful behaviour, as though they are age restricted products.

Examples of these are BB guns, matches and laser pens. Retailers will treat these items in the same manner as any other age restricted product and will not consider selling these items to a person less than 16-years-old, or who is suspected of wanting to abuse or misuse the product.

Mr Charles Goodall, Vice Chairman of the Dundee and Angus Branch of the Federation of Small Businesses said:

‘‘The FSB is delighted to see this scheme being introduced in Arbroath and is sure that it will prove to be very useful to all small businesses. This scheme gives small business owners a step by step guide on how to ensure that the person they are selling an age related product to is of a legal age to purchase age related products.

 

‘‘Business owners face severe penalties if they supply products to anyone who is not of the legal to purchase them. This scheme will help ensure that those who sign up to it will be seen as responsible and reputable businesses within our communities.’’

Angus Council through the Trading Standards Service has powers to test purchase to verify local businesses are complying with the law. Tayside Police also has powers to test purchase for alcohol.

For further information or if you wish to join the scheme please telephone Trading Standards at 01241 435600 or e mail Tradstand@angus.gov.uk

Anyone with information that they think is useful to the police should contact Tayside Police in Angus on (01307) 302200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.