Events to examine test purchasing

A series of seminars are being held to address how authorities undertake test-purchasing schemes in venues such as pubs.

The events are being organised by local regulation experts LBRO and the Trading Standards Institute.

The seminars follow a LBRO report which raised questions about how underage people are used in such operations.

LBRO chairman Clive Grace said: "The report gave a clear message that current relationships and collaboration between business, regulators, employees and consumers is not sufficient to achieve the necessary improvements in the control of restricted products."

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) added it was concerned with the risks retail workers face.

USDAW'S general secretary John Hannett said: "Our members are on the front line controlling the sale of age restricted products and over three-quarters of shop workers have experienced verbal abuse or worse asking customers for proof of age ID when they are simply doing their job."

Each of the seminars will host speakers and discuss problems from verbal abuse to staff, fixed penalty notices and prevention of the sale of restricted products.

The seminars will take place on March 22 (Manchester), March 23 (Birmingham), and March 29 (Cardiff) & 30 (Exeter).

For location information visit www.lbro.org.uk​