Crime Solicitors

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced that five councils across the country have joined forces with the police, Food Standards Agency and the DCLG to target rogue traders breaking multiple rules, from food standards breaches to employing illegal workers.

New research published on Tuesday (12/04/16) shows a joint approach in areas across the country – including Cheshire, Cornwall, Ealing, Hertfordshire and Manchester – has resulted in fewer rogue businesses being able to slip through the net.

Launched in October 2014, the “Better business compliance partnership” programme saw five local authorities working with others to blitz rogue traders.

In Cheshire West and Chester, the programme focused on food businesses and off licences, with a large number of enforcement visits. Staff were also trained in how to spot signs that businesses were flouting the law.

In Cornwall, data from partner agencies was crosschecked to identify businesses at risk of operating in the black economy – and staff were trained to encourage tip offs from other agencies.

Ealing targeted problem food businesses and crosschecked data using the latest science tool technology, to identify businesses breaking the rules – and in Hertfordshire, a tool to record and share data was developed, which can send warning signs to other agencies, as well as training taxi licensing officers to identify fraudulent documents.

Manchester and Salford worked together to break bogus businesses which were peddling everything from counterfeit goods to fraudulent services, as well as money laundering.

Communities Minister Marcus Jones said:

“Rogue businesses cut corners and provide a shoddy service to their customers and staff.

“What’s more, they are costing councils and agencies taxpayers’ hard-earned cash through inspections and violations.

“By sharing data, joint visits and acting as each other’s ‘eyes and ears’, fewer rogue businesses can slip through the net.

“I’d encourage all councils to see what more they could do to ensure their legitimate businesses can compete on a level playing field.”

Local areas involved in the programme developed different approaches based on local needs – but across each one, evaluation found that joint working helped target resources more effectively to crackdown on businesses breaking the law.

The government is now focused on sharing the findings to help other local authorities learn from good practice.

A second phase of the programme will now test the effectiveness of data science in helping to tackle a range of non-compliance by businesses in Ealing, west London.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of a public protection matter, including charges relating to fraud and misrepresentation, selling counterfeit goods, selling illegal alcohol and tobacco, weights and measures issues, labelling offences, food hygiene breaches, health and safety breaches and employing illegal workers.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can attend interviews with prosecuting authorities to advise on public protection law.

For expert legal advice on public protection offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.