Over the last year, Shropshire Council's Trading Standards team undertook 59 test purchases across the county – 17 for alcohol, 36 for vapes and six for knives.The investigations have resulted in two prosecutions, five written warnings, two pending prosecutions and two pending decisions. The knife sale has resulted in a community resolution issued by police.
Frances Darling, Shropshire Council’s head of business and consumer protection, said she was worried about the findings. "Practitioners and businesses involved in the cosmetics industry do need to take the requirements of the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers Act 2021 much more seriously and ensure arrangements to administer Botox or cosmetic fillers are not made with children.”
“The early intervention work undertaken by trading standards is invaluable in preventing young people, below the legal age of 18, from accessing vapes and other age-restricted products from businesses that are prepared to flout the law and put the health of the local community at risk for their financial gain.