Pensioner imprisoned for selling illicit tobacco

A 75-year-old Plymouth man has been sentenced to an 18-month custodial sentence, half to be served in prison, for selling illicit tobacco and evading £162,000 in duty. Patrick White, of … Continue reading →

Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards expands to include Plymouth from April

Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service will merge with Plymouth City Council Trading Standards from 1 April 2021. All four authorities have approved the plans which will give them … Continue reading →

How to verify if a vaccine invite text is genuine

This week the NHS began texting some people inviting them to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Almost 400,000 people aged 55 and over and thousands of unpaid carers will be … Continue reading →

Young people warned about ‘fake jobs’ on social media

Trading Standards is warning young people to be wary of fake job adverts on social media that at first glance might appear to be the answer to their financial worries. … Continue reading →

Rural mental health support – Trading Standards receive special training and farmers support seminar on offer

A team of officers from Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards are receiving mental health ‘first aid’ training to improve the support they can offer rural businesses and farmers.  The … Continue reading →

Woman fined after breaching animal ban

A North Devon woman who was caught tending livestock despite being banned has been ordered to pay £1,380 in compensation, fines and costs. Bridget Barrell, 64, of Chittlehampton, admitted three … Continue reading →

Carpet fitter admits fraud

A mobile carpet fitter from Somerset has admitted two charges of fraud and has been given 12-month community order and told to pay £1,585 in compensation and costs. Tom Brazil, … Continue reading →

Consumers urged to be aware of fake texts offering Covid-19 vaccine

Trading Standards is warning the public to be on their guard following reports that fraudsters are sending out fake texts offering a Covid-19 vaccine in an attempt to steal bank … Continue reading →

Avian influenza (bird flu)

Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza H5N8 was confirmed in backyard poultry at a premises near Exmouth, East Devon. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been declared around the … Continue reading →

Drainage company admits ‘unfair trading’ and pays back £20k to victims

A drainage company has been fined £3,685 after pleading guilty to unfair trading and has paid back over £20,000 to victims across Devon, Somerset, Torbay, Dorset and Wiltshire following a … Continue reading →