Partnership working between Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service, Plymouth City Council Trading Standards, and Devon and Cornwall Constabulary claimed a success today, as two doorstep rogue traders pleaded guilty to fraud and Consumer Protection offences at Taunton Crown Court.
James Doran (29) of Quedgely in Gloucester and Patrick Connors (23) of Hatfield in Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to a variety of offences committed in the summer of 2012 in Plymouth and Exeter.
They had travelled to the area, and in August, trading as South West Drives and Patios, approached...
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service has been shortlisted for two separate awards by the Local Government Chronicle (LGC), recognising its ongoing work to protect residents and businesses against doorstep crime gangs and rogue traders.
The joint service, commissioned by Devon and Somerset County Councils, has been recognised from over 660 entries to this year’s awards, for its innovative partnership work in tackling rogue traders. Together with the Police, BBC local radio, businesses, Age UK and other agencies, the project team is helping to increase public awareness to...
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service is warning people affected by the recent floods to be aware of rogue traders and cowboy builders.
Previous floods and severe weather in the UK have seen rogue traders offering a range of flood and damage recovery services as well as tarmacking, driveway cleaning, roof cleaning, guttering and garden maintenance.
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards is urging people to be on their guard and to follow some simple steps:
Don’t be rushed into making a decision on the doorstep, even if the trader says the work needs to
A Newton Abbot man has been sentenced following guilty pleas to selling illicit tobacco from his home, after an investigation by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards service.
65 year old Mr Roger Gerrey of 3 Lemon Place, Newton Abbot was charged with offences relating to selling and having available to supply, tobacco which did not have the legally required health warnings or the appropriate duty paid markings.
He was also charged with failing to display the correct age warning statement.
The court also heard that some of the tobacco sold by Mr Gerrey was...
An Exeter roofer has been ordered to pay £2,000 compensation after carrying out work described by an expert building surveyor as being of an “exceptionally poor standard”.
Appearing at Exeter Magistrates Court this week, 42-year-old John Isaacs of J&H Roofing Services pleaded guilty to one offence under the ‘professional diligence’ requirements of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, in a prosecution brought by Devon & Somerset Trading Standards Service.
The court heard how Issacs’ victim, Mrs Rowlands, who lives in Exeter, contacted J&H...
A new Devon and Cornwall Doorstep Crime Reduction Partnership is being launched today to help beat bogus callers, rogue traders and distraction burglars. Devon and Cornwall Police has joined forces with county and district councils’ Trading Standards services throughout the region to tackle doorstep criminals. The aim of the partnership is to help prevent residents becoming victims of doorstep crime by raising awareness, particularly among the more vulnerable, and to encourage people to report incidents. The campaign, which is being supported by BBC local radio and Age UK, is designed to...
Hundreds of thousands of pounds are set to be saved by Devon County Council and Somerset County Council as the authorities work to establish a joint Trading Standards Service.
The move, which was approved by Councillors this week, will see a fully shared service created covering both Devon and Somerset, comprising staff from both authorities and offices in both counties.
Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards, said: “With increasing pressure on budgets we must make sure we work hard to get the best value from...
Devon and Cornwall Police has become aware that a company has been cold calling local people and carrying out a survey, claiming to be working in collaboration with the police, where personal details are being requested from those being called. We are informed that this company sell home security alarm systems. A police spokesman said: “Devon and Cornwall Police would like to clarify that we have not commissioned any organisation to carry out this type of survey and nor would we conduct surveys asking such personal information. “We work closely with our colleagues at local authorities...
An Okehampton farmer has been banned from keeping dogs for ten years after failing to improve the squalid conditions for his 13 collies, despite several warnings and advice from Devon County Council.
Leon Henry Smith (aged 62, of Castle Road, Okehampton), who has twice been banned from keeping sheep or cattle, was given the chance to improve conditions for the dogs after the judge at Exeter Crown Court deferred sentencing earlier this year.
However, his case was brought back to court early last month after Devon County Council's Trading Standards Team and...
