Plumber who defrauded elderly couple given suspended sentence

A rogue plumbing and heating engineer who ‘preyed’ on an elderly couple, defrauding them of £13,000, has been given a 12-month suspended prison sentence. Gary Coombes, 58, of 20 Quantock … Continue reading →

Traders reminded to check ID on age-restricted goods

Traders are being reminded that they are putting their livelihoods at risk by not asking for identification when selling age-restricted goods. The warning from Heart of the South West Trading … Continue reading →

“People really, really need to be on their guard”, warns Trading Standards scams expert

Consumers’ champion, Martin Lewis, has had to repeat his advice for people not to engage with online adverts promoting investments. The Money Saving Expert’s spokesperson reiterated: “Martin NEVER does adverts … Continue reading →

Businesses are urged to prepare for this October’s ban on some single-use plastics

Our Trading Standards service is reminding businesses, such as takeaways, sandwich bars, care homes and retailers who supply certain single-use plastic items, that a ban comes into force this October, … Continue reading →

Shop selling vapes and drug paraphernalia to children closed down

Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service has worked with police to close a second store in Taunton which was selling vapes and drug paraphernalia to children and counterfeit … Continue reading →

Trading Standards warning over new text message scams

Residents in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay are being warned to be on their guard against text message scams where fraudsters impersonate family members. The warning comes from Heart of … Continue reading →

Trading Standards working in partnership to keep public safe from scams

Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service is with Trading Standards services across the country, the police and adult safeguarding, to protect the public – particularly the elderly and … Continue reading →

Majority of ‘sandwich bars’ tested in breach of new allergen law

100 sandwich shops, delis and bakeries tested across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. Businesses, such as delis or bakeries who prepare then package food for sale, are being urged not … Continue reading →

Warning: cheap toys could contain harmful chemicals

Consumers across the region are being urged to ensure that the toys they buy display the UKCA mark, or the European CE equivalent, on the packaging following concerns that the … Continue reading →

Special Safety Certificate issued for Exeter Rugby Club

Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service is pleased to announce it has issued a Special Safety Certificate to Exeter Rugby Club for its Sandy Park Stadium, to allow … Continue reading →