Government probes into shops thought to be selling alcohol and tobacco to underage customers are too aggressive, a retailers' consortium has warned.
‘Test purchasing’ – in which trading standards officers send minors into shops to see if they are served prohibited goods – has peaked recently and, according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the tactics are too heavy-handed.
The ACS claims it has uncovered evidence in Essex and Liverpool in which authorities have sent children into licensed premises and told them to lie about their age.
It has also heard accounts from shop owners of large "gangs" of test purchasers being sent into shops, which the ACS says can be intimidating.
ACS chief executive David Rae said there is no issue with police cracking down on irresponsible traders. He said such shops should be identified and prosecuted.
However, he said that local authorities in some parts of the country may be violating codes of practice which are meant to ensure retailers are treated fairly.
"Test purchasers should not be allowed to lie about their age, and they should not be able to intimidate staff by arriving in gangs," Rae said.
"This sort of activity is clearly designed to entrap retailers and staff, and is not acceptable. We have raised this issue in the strongest terms with the police and local authorities, and we will be making the Home Office aware of this breach of good practice."
Rae urged shop owners to be aware of such investigations and to protect themselves by adopting a strict adherence to the law.
Shop owners should take a ‘no ID, no sale’ policy with all customers who appear to be under 21. Those who fail to do so risk a penalty or even a review of their licence, he said.
