Mark Rolfe, Kent County Council’s East Kent Area Manager, will describe the work of Kent Trading Standards and how they use campaigns to find out the extent of a problem or how to target known problems. Mark will talk about some of their most recent campaigns, including the Kent Community Alcohol Partnership (one of the pilot areas is in Broadstairs) and their campaign to crack down on loan shark activity in Thanet.
Minutes:
Mark Rolfe began his presentation by outlining the structure of Kent Trading Standards (KTS). KTS is divided into three teams, one in East Kent, based in Ashford, one in West Kent, based in West Malling and a Legal Services Team based in County Hall, Maidstone.
Mark outlined the role of KTS which is to:
· educate and advise Kent businesses and consumers to support a safe and fair trading environment,
· take effective action against businesses that persistently or deliberately break the law,
· restrict access for children to harmful age restricted products, e.g. alcohol, cigarettes, unsuitable video games
· prevent the spread of animal disease, e.g. foot and mouth in order to protect farming and the wider community
· take effective action in relation to the storage and supply of dangerous goods
· maintain food standards and assist people to make informed, healthy choices.
The majority of businesses are legitimate and KTS can help local businesses to meet their legal obligations. There are 40 Trading Standards officers in Kent.
Mark then spoke in detail of three issues that are particularly relevant to Thanet.
· Doorstep callers are a menace to the vulnerable householder. Often unnecessary, poorly completed and ridiculously expensive repairs are being undertaken by unscrupulous ‘cold’ callers. KTS are working with the police to stop this but would recommend the ‘Buy with Confidence’ scheme, which holds a list of qualified tradesmen who have been checked and approved. For more information contact: Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
· Age restricted goods and in particular alcohol is a problem with young people. In the short term it is often the cause of anti-social behaviour and in the long term can cause liver disease. Proxy purchasing, that is older people buying and selling on to younger people is becoming an increasing problem. To help tackle this KTS have joined up with other statutory agencies, including Kent Police and Thanet District Council, as well as local retailers, to form The Kent Community Alcohol Partnership. This new scheme is being piloted in Broadstairs and will offer advice and information to young people about sensible drinking limits and help local businesses to keep within the law.
· Loan Sharks are unlicenced and charge massive interest rates on loans. They prey on vulnerable households and use unpleasant tactics to recoup their money. Mark dispelled some myths about Loansharking, for example unlicensed money lending is illegal but borrowing from a loan shark is not an offence. He then cited some examples of how borrowing money at high interest rates can escalate, sometimes with tragic consequences and provided figures that showed a link between the conviction of loan sharks and a reduction in petty crime. Kent is working with the National Loan Sharking Project who is asking people to report any Loan sharks. It has a 24/7 hotline on 0300 555 2222 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks.
Q. As a former Chairman of the Thanet Credit Union, some people have said to me they prefer cash on a Friday night from an unlicenced lender as it is more convenient, quicker and application forms can be difficult to complete.
A. Research shows that victims of Loan Sharks never return if they manage to get away from them.
Q. Surveillance on premises can be expensive. Will lack of manpower cause difficulties for the KCAP to deliver their objectives?
A. More resources and manpower do help, but KCAP scheme means that partners can share the load.
Q. How was the pilot area determined? Why did it not include Ramsgate?
A. The area chosen has a known night time economy problem and our key partners, including the major supermarkets, are well represented in this area.
Q. Are supermarkets prepared to give up some time educating young people?
A. Currently the focus is on pubs and clubs but the next phase of the pilot will involve supermarkets.