Illegal tobacco seller closed

A store in Tiverton has been closed for up to three months for selling illegal tobacco. The closure order, for the retailer ‘Smoke’ in Bampton Street, was granted by North … Continue reading →

Trading Standards seizes large amounts of illicit tobacco

Trading Standards seized illegal tobacco estimated to be worth more than £200,000 in raids in Devon and Somerset on Friday. The raids were conducted by officers from the Heart of … Continue reading →

Trading Standards to ‘test’ more petrol pumps for accuracy this summer

Trading Standards will increase the number of routine petrol forecourt checks across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay this summer. Usually around a dozen forecourts a year are tested – this … Continue reading →

Trading Standards’ warning as rogue builder complaints hit two a day

Homeowners across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay are being warned by Trading Standards to be alert following concerns that increasing numbers of people are being duped by rogue builders. In … Continue reading →

Poultry owners reminded to take ‘measures’ to reduce risk of spreading bird flu

The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service is reminding all keepers of poultry that they are legally required to take measures to reduce the risk of bird flu … Continue reading →

Partner of solar-panel fraudster gets suspended sentence

The accomplice and partner of a businessman who headed up a solar panel scam has received a 12-month suspended prison sentence. At Exeter Crown Court today (Thursday 7 April) Paula … Continue reading →

Businessman jailed for 30 months in solar panel scam

People across the South West, including Devon, were scammed when buying solar panels – and now a businessman has been sentenced to 30 months in jail and banned from being … Continue reading →

Check it’s all ok, before you drive away

A significant change in people’s driving needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing new car production shortages saw the used-vehicle market grow by over 10% last year, … Continue reading →

Consumer Rights Day – learn how to shield yourself online

Almost nine out of 10 UK consumers have, at some point, bought something online – and now, on World Consumer Rights Day, Heart of the South West Trading Standards is … Continue reading →

Trading Standards warning over NHS Test and Trace text scam

Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service is warning residents of a series of scam text messages claiming to be from NHS Test and Trace. One of the texts … Continue reading →