Trading Standards

Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service is urging victims of loan sharks to come forward, and has reassured them they can do so in the strictest confidence.

An estimated 310,000 households in the UK borrow from loan sharks every year, many over Christmas - but a relatively small loan can soon spiral into massive repayments.

Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading...

Illegal skin lighteners, containing potentially harmful products, have been found on sale in our region.

Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service say that the creams are similar to products which have been on sale in London. Trading Standards officers have seized a considerable quantity of illegal skin lightening creams that were being sold over the internet by a Devon-based trader...

A Barnstaple man has been handed an eight month sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting to selling fake DVDs, phone covers and clothing online.

Appearing at Exeter Crown Court, Shaun Ryan, aged 34 of Wool Barn Road, pleaded guilty to six charges of selling and possessing counterfeit goods.

The case was brought by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service after a...

A Trading Standards campaign to help prevent babies and toddlers from being injured at home is being relaunched on 6 June.

Every year in England 60 children are killed, 450,000 attend A&E and 40,000 are admitted to hospital as a result of accidents in the home.

The Buy Wise Be Safe campaign aims to prevent injuries by providing clear advice on ways to make the home safer...

Two rogue traders have pleaded guilty to fraud at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court following an investigation by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards.

Bryan Ferren, aged 38 and Kevin Hogg aged 41, both of Clifton Court, Clifton Road, Paignton, admitted to conning over £70,000 out of 17 elderly Devon residents over a 13 month period.

The court heard how, between November 2012 and...

Devon and Somerset residents are being warned against rogue doorstep traders offering home maintenance services this spring.

In 2015 87 complaints were received by the service in relation to doorstep crime, with an estimate loss of over £101,000.

In March this year six complaints were made and in February an estimated £3,000 was lost by victims, a 100 per cent increase on 2015...

Three men found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the vulnerable and elderly for shoddy and unnecessary home repair work, were sentenced today at Exeter Crown Court in a case brought by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service.

Thomas Maughan, 27, and Thomas Mahon, 46, were each sent to prison for 12 months for their part in the fraud.

Both had pleaded not guilty but were...

Trading Standards officers are focusing on the practices of used car dealers and garages across Devon and Somerset.

Every year Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service receives over 2,000 complaints about second hand cars and servicing.

Since April 2015 officers have inspected 56 car forecourts, garages, and traders selling used tyres. Officers also booked a car into...

Consumers are being urged to think before buying this year’s ‘must have’ for Christmas, a hoverboard, which could be at risk of catching fire or even exploding.

Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service is appealing to Christmas shoppers to follow a 12-point safety checklist (below) if they are thinking of buying a hoverboard or have already purchased one.

Since October 15...

Devon and Somerset Trading Standards is reminding the public to stay alert to rogue traders after residents are conned out of thousands of pounds.

The shoddy work cost victims thousands more to make good the poor standard of work.

The Trading Standards service has received a number of complaints about unsolicited visits from doorstep traders, including one that claimed to be...