UPDATES: Trading Standards officers in North Northamptonshire have seized illicit tobacco worth an estimated £258,000 from a self-storage unit in Kettering. Acting on community intelligence, officers uncovered thousands of illegal cigarettes and tobacco products in a joint operation with police - highlighting the links between illegal tobacco, organised crime and risks to public health ...

UPDATES: A sophisticated wine investment scam that swindled 41 victims out of £6 million has been dismantled following a major Trading Standards investigation. Elderly and vulnerable people were targeted with high-pressure sales tactics and false promises of high returns, before the ringleaders were convicted of fraud in court ...

UPDATES: A major multi-agency operation in Northumberland has taken thousands of illicit cigarettes and tobacco products off the streets, dealing a significant blow to suspected organised crime networks. Acting on intelligence, Trading Standards and police uncovered large-scale illegal supplies and warned that tackling illicit tobacco is vital to protecting public health and local communities ...

UPDATES: A Barrow shop owner has been prosecuted after Trading Standards uncovered counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco during a test purchase operation. Following the seizure of hundreds of illegal tobacco products, the seller was convicted in court - sending a clear warning that illicit tobacco sales harm communities and will not be tolerated ...

UPDATES: The Intellectual Property Office has unveiled a new online Intelligence Gateway designed to streamline how suspected IP crime is reported and investigated. Replacing the old PIPCU referral form, the platform brings enforcement bodies, rights holders and police closer together - promising smarter prioritisation, stronger coordination, and a more effective national response to protecting IP rights ...

UPDATES: London Trading Standards is warning renters about a growing property scam targeting those seeking bargain rents. Fraudsters are pressuring would-be tenants to pay deposits or rent upfront for properties that don’t exist, using fake documents and disappearing agents. With losses running into thousands, LTS urges renters to stay vigilant as enforcement action and new tenant protections gather pace ...

UPDATES: Lancashire Trading Standards has taken action against food businesses caught mis-selling kebabs after tests revealed undeclared meats including beef and chicken. Multiple prosecutions highlight a growing national issue around inaccurate labelling, with repeat offenders fined for breaching food safety laws and misleading consumers about what they were really eating ...

UPDATES: Trading Standards in Northern Ireland has prosecuted a builder who took £20,000 for an extension he failed to complete, leaving a homeowner with a half-built structure and major financial losses. The case highlights the devastating impact of rogue traders, with the offender convicted of fraud and ordered to pay compensation ...

UPDATES: The Government has announced a major crackdown on “cowboy” cosmetic procedures, targeting unqualified practitioners and high-risk treatments. New rules will restrict who can carry out procedures such as non-surgical BBLs, tighten oversight of fillers and Botox, and introduce stronger protections for under-18s, following mounting evidence of serious harm ...

UPDATES: Lincolnshire Trading Standards has carried out its largest-ever illegal tobacco seizure, removing more than 320,000 illicit cigarettes and 165kg of hand rolling tobacco in coordinated raids with police. Two shops were closed for three months as officers warned of links to organised crime, public safety risks and serious fire hazards ...