Posted on: Friday 31 October 2025
Alcohol, vapes and knives were sold to children under the age of 16 during a test-purchase operation this week.
The council’s Trading Standards team and cadets with Gwent Police visited 29 shops in the borough to attempt to buy items that can only legally be sold to people over the age of 18.
Nine age-restricted items were sold to the cadets at six shops across Pontypool and Cwmbran, including knives, alcohol and vaping products containing nicotine.
The retailers were reminded of the law regarding the sale of age-restricted goods and the requirement to check the age of anyone attempting to buy such items. Officers are now investigating these offences, with a view to considering enforcement action where appropriate.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for Environment, said: “I would like to thank our Trading Standards Officers and Gwent Police for their efforts in identifying shops selling items to children and offering advice to help them comply with the law and safeguard children.
“What is disturbing is when retailers have comprehensive policies and procedures relating to the sale of underage goods, but evidently, they are not being effectively implemented.
"This demonstrates the importance of independent checks undertaken by Trading Standards Officers to protect children from risks of harm.”
Inspector Lee Stachow, from Gwent Police, said: "Age restrictions on items are there for a reason to keep children safe and it's disappointing so see that some businesses are failing in their duties to abide by the law, disregarding how harmful their actions can be.
"Our cadets play a pivotal role in catching those retailers who are breaking the law and we will continue to work with our partners, taking part in these operations, to ensure those businesses are prosecuted and held to account."
Businesses that persistently fail in their legal duty to prevent underage sales can be prosecuted and fined. Where an alcohol licence is in place, the local authority may also apply for it to be reviewed, which could result in the licence being restricted or even removed.
Anyone with concerns about the sale of age-restricted products is encouraged to contact Trading Standards.
They can be reached by email at trading.standards@torfaen.gov.uk or by phone on 01495 762200. Any information supplied will be treated in confidence.