Fake ID is no longer option for youngsters (From Barry And District News)

Fake ID is no longer option for youngsters

AS THE PARTY season starts to get into full swing, it's such a temptation for teens to try and bluff their way into places they're not allowed to be and buy things they're not allowed to own.

And with a fresh wave of fake but convincing ID cards readily available over the Internet, it's getting all too easy.

Now the Vale of Glamorgan Council has canvassed dozens of businesses in the area to clamp down on underage smoking, drinking and the sensitive subject of firework sales - and have approached school children on the benefits of a legitimate compromise.

The Vale Council's Trading Standards team are re-launching the Validate Proof of Age card scheme in the area with a brand new look and security measures to curb counterfeiting.

The card meets all the criteria for the Government's Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) and is issued free of charge to most 16 to18-year-olds in mainstream education.

The Council's Trading Standards department is driving the initiative forward with the support of a community safety grant.

Consumer Education Officer Rebecca Hinton said: "We are aware of the increase in the public's perception of youth annoyance attributed to under-age drinking and, at this time of year, misuse of fireworks.

"Throughout the summer we consulted with small and medium-sized traders selling age-restricted products such as alcohol, knives, tobacco and fireworks. The response was overwhelmingly in favour of a proof of age card endorsed by the local authority in conjunction with other agencies such as the police, and youth offending teams.

"Most traders want to sell in compliance with the law but have difficulty in assessing a young person's true age and may inadvertently break the law.

"Now there are no excuses - all shopkeepers in the Vale will be advised to refuse sales where no Validate card or other suitable form of ID such as a photographic driver's licence or passport is shown.

"We will be supplying application forms for the cards to shops to hand to young people they refuse to serve, so they can still apply for a Validate card if they missed out at school."

Local retailers will be visited by Trading Standards officers with the aim of educating them into a "No Card! No Sale!" culture.

Proving their age has always been a problem for young people whether they are trying to prove they are old enough to buy an 18-classified DVD or that they are young enough to qualify for discounted rates on public transport.

Some may attempt to purchase fake ID, which puts retailers in an awkward position when they are presented with a card that appears to prove an individual is old enough to purchase a restricted item but the trader has doubts.

Vale Trading Standards officers carried out a market surveillance exercise on the internet for National Consumer Week's "Get Real" campaign and easily found nine companies selling fake identification cards.

Of those nine, they submitted applications to eight using bogus information and the picture of a young-looking 13-year-old girl with a date of birth making her 20.

Six companies supplied a card with no questions asked and the remaining two took the money without supplying anything at all. These companies are going to be looked into by the Vale Council's Trading Standards team.

The cards ranged in price from £10 to £25 and are quite sophisticated in appearance.

Principal Trading Standards Officer Simon Wilkinson said: "These cards are worryingly convincing and we believe all retailers should train staff not only in asking for proof of age but also in how to spot a fake.

"Knowing the Validate card is the only one approved by the Vale Community Safety Partnership and ourselves and that young people have been given the opportunity to get one should make it simpler for our traders."