Offensive Weapons Project Officer

We are looking for an experienced Trading Standards Enforcement Officer to deliver a project under the Offensive Weapons Act

The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 mandates local Trading Standards to enforce legislation restricting the sale and delivery of age-restricted items.

The role focuses heavily on tackling underage knife and acid sales, ensuring online retail compliance, and executing compliance visits.

Core Responsibilities

Undercover Operations: Organizing and conducting test purchasing operations with underage volunteers to monitor over-the-counter and online retailers.

Compliance & Enforcement: Auditing businesses and delivery companies to ensure they have robust age-verification procedures and "due diligence" systems in place for knives and corrosive products.

Investigations: Building criminal case files, issuing improvement notices, seizing illegal items, and gathering evidence for prosecutions against non-compliant sellers and delivery firms.

Business Advice: Delivering guidance to local retailers, business owners, and remote sellers to ensure they understand their legal duties under the OWA.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Partnering closely with the Police, Violence Reduction Units, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to suppress serious violence.

Essential Requirements for the Role

Enforcement Experience: Background in criminal investigations, consumer law, or regulatory compliance.

Qualifications: the successful candidate will ideally be working toward a Trading Standards qualification (e.g., Diploma in Trading Standards, Trading Standards Practitioner Apprenticeship).

Legislative Knowledge: Strong understanding of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, Criminal Justice Act 1988, and relevant age-restriction regulations.

Project Management: Ability to plan, resource, and execute targeted enforcement projects funded by government grants.