OFFICERS from the Carlisle neighbourhood policing team have conducted a series of test purchases alongside officials from trading standards in the city.

The team were searching for shops and businesses who might be selling age restricted products – such as vapes – to children.

Carlisle police said that all of the businesses tested passed with ‘flying colours’ and thanked businesses for complying with the law.

A spokesperson for Carlisle Police said: “We are happy to report that multiple shops and businesses were tested, and all passed with flying colours.

“Thank you to all out local retailers who are continuing to obey the laws around not selling age prohibited materials to children.

“To those businesses who were not tested today and may be selling to underage children, consider the effects of your sales against an appearance in front of a magistrate.

“Operations like this happen frequently and we will continue to support local enforcement teams in prosecuting and challenging trading which looks to cause harm to children.

“Parents, whilst we conduct work around the clock to protect our communities, we need you to be educating at home.”

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Retailers in Workington, Flimby, and Maryport also all refused to sell e-cigarettes (vapes) to an underage test purchaser in recent inspections.

Sixteen businesses requested to see the underage volunteer’s identification, during an operation carried out by Cumberland Council’s trading standards team.

This was part of a clamp down by Cumberland Council after inspections in August showed that 62 percent of sales were refused in Workington, only 34 per cent of sales refused in Maryport, and 92 per cent refused in Carlisle and Wigton.