Convenience stores put to the test by police cadets in vape operation
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Nine convenience stores were put to the test by Wiltshire Police cadets attempting to purchase vapes.
Police cadets aged 16 and 17 visited stores in Chippenham, Calne and Corsham on Friday night (22/3) to carry out the test purchases. Legally, you must be aged 18 to purchase vapes.
All stores in Chippenham and Calne passed the tests after challenging the cadets and asking for ID.
Two stores in Corsham failed the tests – Londis in Pickwick Road and the Premier store in Colerne Market Place. Words of advice were given to staff and follow up visits will be arranged to discuss next steps.
Sgt Michael Tripp said: “It is really important to us as Neighbourhood officers that we are protecting our young people from harm, and this includes the increasing use of vapes.
"Using our volunteer police cadets enables us to put our local premises to the test safely, and helping the local Neighbourhood teams with crime prevention initiatives like this is an important activity for the cadets and we were grateful for their help.
“We were pleased that the majority of premises challenged the cadets and refused sale. We will now work closely with the premises which failed.”