Along with music ringing in their ears, festival goers will leave Godiva more cyber savvy this year thanks to a partnership between West Midlands Police and Get Safe Online.

On Sunday 9 July, cyber experts will join forces with police officers to share cyber-crime prevention tips with visitors in a bid to keep them safe online.

As well as free professional advice covering everything from fraud, safeguarding and social networks, visitors are invited to bring their mobile devices for a free cyber security ‘health check’.

On the stand will be a Ferrari F1 simulator car giving visitors the chance to pit their driving skills against other members of the public and there are lots of great prizes up for grabs, including VIP tickets to the British Grand Prix. The winner of the fastest lap on the day will be added to a league table made up of entrants from Get Safe Online Events across the UK with the overall winner securing the prize of a trip to Silverstone.

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Coventry residents are being urged to register their electrical appliances so they can be notified by manufacturers of any product recalls.

Following a Metropolitan Police statement that a Hotpoint FF175BP fridge freezer was the initial source of the Grenfell Tower fire on June 14, and the examination of the unit by technical experts, Coventry Trading Standards are advising owners of Hotpoint fridge freezer model number FF175BP (white) or FF175BG (grey) to call Whirlpool Corporation’s freephone 0800 316 3826 or visit www.hotpointservice.co.uk/fridgefreezer to register their details for further updates.

At this stage they say there is no reason for consumers to switch off their fridge freezer pending further investigation. 

The government website on product recalls, which will be updated should further action on the product be necessary, can be found at www.gov.uk/productrecall.

Last year the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances launched a new web portal providing access to the registration pages of 47 leading brands of domestic appliances, making it quicker and easier for the public to register all of their white goods.

If a manufacturer identifies a fault with a product which requires a repair or product recall, consumers can be quickly contacted.

Visit the Register My Appliance website.

The information consumers provide will only be used to notify them of product recalls and safety notices. The information cannot be shared or used for marketing purposes without their express consent.

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Trading Standards is issuing advice to help to protect Coventry residents from falling victim to bogus High Court Enforcement Officer scam.

This comes after national reports of fraudsters posing as legitimate debt collection companies who are forcing their victims to pay a phantom debt.

The scam involves criminals dressing as authentic looking Bailiffs with stab vests, and targeting elderly people stating that a warrant has been issued to seize goods in order to scare the resident.

They are then taking the victims to banks and ATMs in order to withdraw money to clear the so called debt.

Trading Standards advise to always take the full details of the person that is calling, the company they are calling from and make some independent enquiries as to whether the caller is genuine. Do not rely on any contact details provided by the caller.

To report a fraud call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk.

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Alpro is recalling its Alpro Growing Up Drink (1-3+ yrs 1 litre UHT pack) because of insufficient sterilisation. The implicated product has been sold only in Sainsbury’s stores.

Product: Alpro Growing Up Drink (1-3+yrs 1 litre UHT pack)
Pack size: 1 Litre
Best before:  05 March 2018
Batch codes starting with:  AB2310 XX:XX

Risk: The sterility of the batches listed has been compromised.  As a result the microbiological safety of these batches has also been compromised and this poses a risk to health, if the affected product is consumed. The affected batches may have developed an unpleasant texture, taste and smell.

Advice: If you have purchased any of the above products, do not drink it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was purchased for a full refund.

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Nationally, Trading Standards are warning that cheap imported fidget spinners could be putting children at risk.

Poor-quality versions of the popular toys can be a danger to children who may choke on small parts. 

The devices, which kids twirl between their fingers, are classed as toys and must carry a CE safety mark.

But some batches have been imported from China and may be defective. They contain small parts and some light-up versions of the toys are powered by button batteries which can cause internal burn injuries if swallowed/ingested. Some of the toys even have sharp edges which could become lethal when the toy is spun. 

Several local offices have put out warnings as unscrupulous manufacturers seek to "cash in" on the craze.

Last Friday Surrey County Council announced that Trading Standards Officers had seized and impounded 800 fidget spinners which were being imported from China through Heathrow airport. 

The £4,000 shipment was intercepted after officers found that warnings about choking hazards were "barely visible". 

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