Dorset Council’s Trading Standards team is stepping up efforts to protect young people from harmful products by targeting illegal sales of age-restricted items.
Age-restricted products—including knives, tobacco, vapes, alcohol, solvents, fireworks, petrol, and age-rated movies and computer games—must not be sold to anyone under the legal age.
To ensure compliance, Trading Standards routinely conducts test purchases using young volunteers. Traditionally, these checks have focused on high street retailers, but with more young people shopping online, the team has adapted its approach to meet this growing trend.
Knife crime remains a serious concern nationally, with recorded incidents rising by 87% since 2014. While Dorset has seen a steady decline since 2019, police figures show a slight increase in 2023 compared to the previous year.
This autumn, Dorset Council tested online retailers by legally purchasing five bladed items from five different companies. Four were collected via click-and-collect counters, and one was delivered to a home address. In every case, the sale was refused when the young volunteer could not prove their age, and the home delivery was cancelled when the original purchaser was unavailable.
This reflects that retailers are taking their responsibilities seriously. However, more work is needed to ensure children cannot easily purchase harmful goods online.
If you suspect a business is selling age-restricted products to underage customers, report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice. Tel: 0808 223 1133.
Businesses found selling age-restricted products to minors risk enforcement action. And we remain committed to protecting children from harm and ensuring compliance with the law.
Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, said: “Protecting young people from harmful products is a top priority for Dorset Council. While it’s encouraging to see retailers taking their responsibilities seriously, we cannot afford to be complacent. We urge businesses to remain vigilant and the public to report any concerns. Together, we can keep our communities safe.”
If you have any information or concerns about someone carrying a knife, please report it to Dorset Police on their online form
You can also report any information anonymously to CrimeStoppers UK on 0800 555111. Your information could help save a life.
