The summer
has been a busy time for our officers so far with scam intervention work, Scams Awareness Month and three significant investigations leading to convictions.
In
this issue you will find information about our UKAS accredited Top Ten
Metrology Laboratory, information about Primary Authority Partnerships and our
first guest article provided by the Devon & Cornwall Business Council.
Find out all of our latest news including a
Scams Awareness Month round up and details of our recent prosecutions
Looking for a business you can trust in Devon
& Somerset? Check out the 2015-16 Buy With Confidence directory for
trading standards approved local businesses
Scams – the thing
everyone should be talking about
As part of our work to raise awareness of scams and doorstep
crime during Scams Awareness Month in July, we created and launched a
short online training session which can
be used by anyone who wants to know more about scams. By recognising scams, and also the signs of a
victim of scams or doorstep criminals, you can help to protect yourself, family and friends. The training
takes 15 minutes to complete and might just make all the difference
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Our Metrology Laboratory is in the top 10 for the
UK!
Did you know
that if you write your name on a piece of paper with an ink fountain pen then
there is a metrology laboratory near you that is able to measure the change in the
paper's weight as the ink dries?
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Metrology Laboratory is pleased to announce that it has kept its position as
one of the top 10 metrology labs in the country following its recent UKAS
(United Kingdom Accreditation Service) annual audit. Find out more about
the lab, and our plans to re-open the Wellington branch soon
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Protecting Businesses from Crime
In June we
attended an event in Cornwall aimed at raising awareness of the crimes
committed against Businesses. The Devon & Cornwall Business Council has also launched a Business Crime Initiative which, working in partnership
with us and Buy With Confidence, aims to assist businesses who have been
victims of business crime. Find out more
about the initiative by reading this issue’s guest article provided by DCBC
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Changes to the law on
e-cigarettes
From 1 October 2015 it will be illegal to sell e-cigarettes
or e-liquids to someone under 18 and illegal for adults to buy, or try to
buy, tobacco products or e-cigarettes for someone under 18. All
businesses selling these products need to have their staff trained and ready to
deal with these new rules (which start on the same date that it also becomes
illegal to smoke in private vehicles that are carrying someone under
18.)
Our service is currently offering a free twelve month
subscription to an online staff training package for businesses that sell all
types of age restricted products
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