Croydon Council’s trading standards service is continuing to keep the borough’s residents safe, by prosecuting a local business for the sale of an age-restricted product to a person under 18.

Age-restricted products include knives, alcohol and vapes.

Trading standards officers carried out an underage test purchasing operation in February 2024 targeting illegal sales of vapes and alcohol across the borough.

One of the businesses visited was Ariana Mobile and Accessories Ltd in London Road, West Croydon. An underage volunteer was instructed to attempt to buy a vape in the store, with a trading standards officer accompanying them posing as a customer.

The volunteer asked for a Pink Elf Grapefruit bar vape and was sold one. Two officers then entered the store, explained that an offence had taken place of a vape being sold to a person under 18, took details of the ownership of the business and issued notices.

Before the exercise, all businesses concerned had been sent a letter advising that the operation would be carried out. The letter sent to Ariana Mobile and Accessories Ltd explained that a previous complaint had been received that it was allegedly selling vapes to under 18s.

It was found that the company did not provide training to staff on age-restricted goods and there was no refusals register or till prompts, which would remind staff to ask for identification on products.

On Monday 24 June 2024 the case was heard at Croydon Magistrates Court. Ariana Mobile and Accessories Ltd admitted the offence and was ordered to pay a total of £2,588.09 in fines and costs.

“I would like to thank our trading standards team on their latest successful prosecution. Protecting our children and young people from the dangers of age-prohibited items means making Croydon a safer and healthier place for us all to live.

“We hope that our businesses will work with us to ensure they are fulfilling their legal duties to keep our residents safe, as we continue carrying out further enforcement activities.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon