Barking and Dagenham Council's Trading Standards team has praised local businesses after all 35 premises tested successfully refused sales of alcohol and tobacco products to underage volunteers.

The results build on the council's recent enforcement initiative to tackle underage sales of age-restricted products during the school holidays and protecting children and young people from harm.

On Wednesday 29 July, Trading Standards officers conducted underage test purchasing operations for alcohol and tobacco products at 15 licensed premises across the borough, using two 14-year-old volunteers. Every business refused the sale.

Further test purchasing visits took place on Wednesday 5 August, focusing on tobacco sales. Once again, all 20 businesses visited successfully refused to sell cigarettes to the underage volunteers.

As part of this work, officers continue to support businesses through education, advice and the Responsible Retailer Scheme, while taking action against those who fail to comply with the law.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: "It is extremely encouraging to see all 35 businesses successfully pass these underage test purchases. These results show that our local retailers are taking their responsibilities seriously and are committed to protecting children and young people from age-restricted products.

"With the summer holidays continuing, we want retailers to remain vigilant and maintain robust Challenge 25 and age-verification procedures.”

Trading Standards officers will continue carrying out regular test purchasing exercises and working closely with local retailers and protecting young people from the harms associated with underage access to alcohol and tobacco products.

If residents are aware of shops selling age-restricted products to children, they can report them by emailing tradingstandards@lbbd.gov.uk.