When talking of her first day of work for Answers, a smile spreads across Ailsa’s face- “well” she says, “It wasn’t exactly your average first day on a new job!  Within a couple of hours after arriving, I was whisked off to Gatwick airport for a surveillance job, which resulted in me having a 45 minute chat with the subject in which she told me practically her life story, including multiple details regarding the situation we were investigating! She then met with her ‘boyfriend’ and they left together on the train”… sounds like the mission was accomplished!

Ailsa also works closely with the ‘Challenge 21’ and ‘Think 21’ programmes, recently being interviewed by the Brighton Argus when they accompanied us visiting stores for clients.  The “Challenge 21” initiative encourages retailers and licensees to seek proof of age from anybody who appears to be under the age of 21.  Occasionally dressing in school uniform, and generally trying to look as young as possible (much to her disgust!) Ailsa and her colleagues are served in retailers across the UK, using hidden cameras and voice recording devices, providing retailers and pubcos with the evidence they need to improve their own standards and see if their policies are being adopted on the shop floor

“ The people within the business make the job all the more worthwhile- we have a very close-knit, family like situation within the office and we generally have a really good time together.  At first I thought it was strange how people didn’t take a set ‘lunch break’  but now I see that that time is made up after hours in the pub!” I was a bit grumpy, however, to wake up one morning and find my picture plastered all over the Surrey Advertiser! .