New identity card offers incentives

Shopkeepers can swipe the identity card through a card reader

Teenagers in Kent are being issued with a new identity card, enabling shopkeepers to find out their exact age.

The scheme is being launched by Kent County Council and Kent Police, who aim to combat rogue traders with the Connexions Card.

Shopkeepers can swipe the card to immediately check that it is genuine and reveal the youngsters' exact age in years and months.

The information is stored in the card's chip, meaning that it cannot be forged.

The leader of Kent County Council, Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart is hoping the card will be issued to all 16 to 19-year-olds in the county.

He said the scheme had been trialled over the last two or three years with a proof-of-age card.

Incentives

It is thought the card will be popular with teenagers, as it is also a reward card, offering benefits which include discounts on travel and a wide range of goods such as clothing and driving lessons.

Mr Bruce-Lockhart said the card would be particularly useful to traders selling alcohol and cigarettes.

"The county council is determined to tackle the problem of rogue traders selling goods such as alcohol, cigarettes and fireworks to underage young people.

"We have worked on this new card with the help of young people and it gives traders a quick and easy method of checking young people's ages," he said.

Around 2,000 card readers are being sold to retailers, at the cost of around £15 each, while youngsters can obtain their identity card free through schools, colleges and learning centres.