One store failed to ask age in vape test purchases

Police cadets took part in an undercover operation tackling vape sales to underage people in south Devon.

Devon and Cornwall Police said one of the 13 shops visited in Newton Abbot and Torquay failed to check the age of an undercover cadet, who was aged under 18 and wearing plain clothes.

After each test purchase, a uniformed police officer went into the shop, told staff about the operation and gave them advice the sale of age restricted products.

Ch Insp Miranda Pusey, who oversees neighbourhood police teams in south Devon, said: "This was a really positive result. It's reassuring to see such a robust response from stores across the towns."

Ch Insp Pusey added: "Our aim isn't to catch shops or employees out, but to make sure everyone is playing their part in keeping young people safe."

The test purchases on Saturday gave police the chance "to educate and engage with retailers in a unique way", she said.

"If we can prevent vapes and tobacco being sold to people under 18, we can also then reduce any possible harm and antisocial behaviour that may be linked with accessing age restricted products," she added.

More operations testing local businesses and their response to shoppers trying to buy restricted items will continue throughout the year, police said.

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