ST HELENS Council has appointed a new 'tsar' to look at new ways to tackle the sale of age-restricted products such as alcohol, cigarettes and fireworks.

Ken Glover, the new Underage Sales Reduction and Enforcement Officer, has been seconded for an initial 12 months to spearhead the exciting project. He will police the whole range of age restricted products which also includes knives, scratch cards and lottery tickets, videos, gas lighter refills, solvents and petrol.

Building on previous campaigns, designed to advise and educate retailers and their staff of steps they can take to ensure that they do not sell to under-age customers, Ken will also encourage more young people in the borough to apply for the free St Helens Council/Validate UK Proof of Age Card and create closer links with the police and other agencies in enforcing the law.

SUSPECTED

Ken will also carry out a series of under-age sales test purchase exercises; undercover surveillance and provide the public with a central contact point to report traders suspected of selling to under-age young people.

Councillor Terry Shields, the council's Executive Member for Environmental Protection, said: "This is a very important area of consumer protection law and I am determined that this 'Civic Pride' funded post will have a real impact in reducing under-age sales. The sale of alcohol in particular to under-age customers has a very detrimental effect on communities and on the health and well-being of our young people. Under-age drinking leads to instances of criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and youth disorder. Officers will be sending out a clear message to retailers - if you sell to under-age, you will face prosecution".

Trading Standards are currently looking for volunteers aged 13 to 16 to assist them with test purchasing exercises. Volunteers are fully trained in what to say and do and are accompanied at all times during the exercises.

Anyone requiring further information on the above matters can contact Ken Glover at the Council's Trading Standards Office, 3rd Floor, Wesley House, Corporation Street, St Helens WA10 1HE, tel. 01744 45643.