Description:

Three shops in Bromley are being investigated following a pre-Christmas test purchasing campaign by Trading Standards.

Officers sent a 14 year old boy into seven shops in Bromley to test how easy it was for him to buy adult rated games and DVDs. Three of the stores, all of whom were part of national chains, sold to the boy without asking him his age. One seller said he thought the boy was 20 years old.

One of the items purchased was an 18 certificated film which warned of 'strong sex and sex references'. A Play Station game purchased entitled 'Grand Theft Auto' warned 'suitable only for persons of 18 years and over'. A fourth shop, which had been highlighted by local residents for its apparent lax approach to the sale of age-restricted products, sold the boy cigarettes.

Cllr Tim Stevens, Portfolio holder for Public Protection and Safety, who was present during the operation, said: "This campaign was to raise the awareness of Bromley shops in the run up to Christmas that some young people may attempt to buy adult rated movies and games. The results are totally unacceptable and we will be considering all options, including prosecution, if we find the companies involved have not taken their responsibilities seriously. We cannot allow young people access to goods which carry such strong warnings."