Addressing mobile criminality and road safety; e-bike safety; the cost of beauty
Heart of the South West Trading Standards Consumer news [
]
Police and Trading Standards Officers in hi-vis stand in front of a traffic enforcement truck
Addressing mobile criminality and road safety
On 25 April, Trading Standards Officers took part in a multi-agency operation at Cartgate near Yeovil, Somerset. The operation was led by Avon & Somerset Police, and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and Environment Agency were also involved.
These operations aim to address the issues of mobile criminality and road safety and focus on:
* Construction and agricultural plant theft.
* Fuel theft.
* Waste crime.
* Vehicle roadworthiness and load security.
* Trade licencing compliance for vehicle users.
* Anti-social vehicle usage.
* Denying criminals use of the road.
Trading Standards Officers spoke with nine traders including a number involved in home improvements and the transportation of animals, and provided advice on consumer rights, fair trading and animal health legislation.
These operations are vital for partnership working, creating links with other enforcement agencies and developing other enforcement officers' knowledge around the work of Trading Standards. This in turn leads to better intelligence sharing and enforcement.
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Illustration of e-scooter and e-bike [
]
Stay safe on your e-bike or e-scooter
Did you know, the lithium-ion batteries which power e-bikes and e-scooters can pose a danger if not properly cared for. See Electrical Safety First's Battery Breakdown - Safer Use guide [
] to learn about the hazards and get tips that can help keep you safe.
We've been working with Electrical Safety First to promote their guidance to retailers and importers of e-bikes and e-scooters to help ensure the products you buy and rent are safe to use. Look out for our window stickers with a QR code linking to the above guide in a bike shop near you!
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Do your nails get the right reactions? [
]
The cost of beauty
Professional salon services can be pricey so it can be tempting to take matters into your own hands.
With more people opting to save money by doing their cosmetic treatments at home, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute is highlighting the serious - even life-altering - effects that can happen when opting for illegal products, or when products are not administered by a trained professional.
Their #CostOfBeauty campaign focuses on:
* Skin lightening creams containing illegal ingredients.
* Illegal teeth whitening kits.
* Professional use gel nail and L&P (liquid and powder) nail systems being used by consumers at home.
Learn about the risks in their Cost of Beauty [
] guide.
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#NoBlameNoShame - Man with his head in his hands [
]
No blame, no shame
We are supporting Stop Loan Sharks [
] to spread the message that there is no blame, no shame for those who have been targeted by a loan shark.
It can be hard dealing with the weight of a debt to a loan shark, but you are not alone. No one should be made to feel ashamed or blamed for the situation they are in.
If you or someone you know is involved with a loan shark, get help and support by contacting Stop Loan Sharks [
] today.
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Beware of travel scams
Don't get caught out by holiday fraud when booking a trip this summer. Learn how this fraud can happen, how to spot the signs of holiday scams and ways you can protect yourself in Action Fraud's guide to holiday fraud [
].
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Guidance for home-based pet food retailers
Home-based online pet food suppliers are being reminded of the importance of ensuring that the products that they sell are legal [
] after 10 were found to be selling products that were not legally compliant with product labelling requirements.
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Free home retrofit guide
Looking to retrofit your home to increase its comfort and reduce your energy use? Energy Saving Devon has produced a free retrofit guide [
] for people who want to carry out their home improvements themselves. It explains the retrofitting process, providing you with valuable insights and practical advice. As well as this, it explores a range of ways you can help reduce energy use in your home.
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Read more news from Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service. [
]
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*This newsletter is produced by the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service [
]. **Commissioned by Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay Councils.*
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*Office hours
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9am-4pm (Friday).
*For consumer advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline [
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For immediate, straightforward guidance on a range of consumer problems, read our free online consumer guides [
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For business advice, visit our website [
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*For Trading Standards Approved Traders visit Buy With Confidence. [
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