The Wrexham Proof of Age Scheme

The Wrexham Proof of Age card was launched in October 1999. The scheme is a partnership involving Wrexham County Borough Council, North Wales Police and Wrexham's Yale College. Most secondary schools in the County Borough are also supportive of the scheme.

The Wrexham scheme became one of the first locally run schemes to be accredited to The Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) in November 2003. PASS is government and industry backed and allows accredited schemes to use the PASS hologram on their cards. The hologram tells retailers that each card is a reliable and credible proof of age.

Wrexham cards are provided free of charge to eligible young people living and working in Wrexham.

To find out more about obtaining a 16+ or 18+ card please contact the Trading Standards Department on 01978 292045.

Other PASS accredited schemes include, Citizencard, The Portman Group "Prove It" card and Validate

Why we need a Proof of Age Scheme

The scheme's aims are to:

• Reduce the number of sales of Age Restricted Products to under age children in the Wrexham County Borough area;
• Provide a reliable proof of age scheme for traders in the area who have often complained of the difficulties in establishing the ages of young people requesting Age Restricted Products;
• Reduce the incidence of disorder involving young people in the Wrexham County Borough area;
• Publicise and raise awareness of the problems associated with underage purchases of these products; e.g. Health issues, Public disorder, unfair trading advantages;
• Aid enforcement agencies in taking action against the minority of traders who persist in supplying the products to underage people

What are Age Restricted Products?

The age restricted products which the scheme covers are as follows:

• Alcohol 18+
• Tobacco Products 18+
• Fireworks 18+
• Solvents 18+
• Knives 18+
• Lottery Tickets 16+
• Videos Dependant on certification i.e. 15,18 etc.

How Does the Scheme Work?

The majority of cards are issued by Yale College as students are enrolled. Replacement cards are also issued during the year as students reach their 18^th birthdays.

Other cards are issued by the Housing & Public Protection Department via two routes:

• In conjunction with secondary schools. This involves the digital photography of pupils and the images are scanned onto cards. The cards are then issued to pupils as they attain the relevant age.
• Individual applicants contact Trading Standards and attend the office to have their photograph taken. This is then scanned onto an application form, by appointment, which they have endorsed by a responsible person. After the endorsement has been checked, they are issued with the card, usually within a few days. Individuals are also asked to produce copies of proof of identity such as passport, birth certificate or driving licence

What does the Card look like?

The card bears either a 16+ or 18+ pre-printed logo which covers the whole of the reverse side. The card is a plastic credit card style and bears a digital photograph together with the name of the bearer on its face.

The card is issued free of charge and individuals do not need to provide their own photograph.

What is Test Purchasing

Test purchasing is a very important part of the work of Trading Standards. We need to check that retailers are complying with the law not to sell age restricted products to anyone below the legal age limit.  We carry out checks by using volunteers between certain ages to test 16+ and 18+ products.

16+ products – volunteers aged 13 to 14½ - e.g. cigarettes and knives

18+ products – volunteers aged 15 to 16½ - e.g. alcohol and fireworks

Without the help of volunteers we would struggle to make a difference to premises in Wrexham and help stamp out anti-social behaviour. 

How do I Volunteer to Test Purchase?

Could you be a test purchase volunteer?

This document is avialable to download in the following formats:

Could you be a test purchase volunteer? Word version 209kb

Could you be a test purchase volunteer? Word version 164kb

Could you be a test purchase volunteer? Word version 2.1Mb

Contact Information

If you are eligible for a card and wish to obtain one, please telephone 01978 292045 or email trading.standards@wrexham.gov.uk to make arrangements for a photograph to be taken.