Trading Standards Service Performance Report 2023 to 2024

Ensuring a Fair, Safe and Competitive Trading Environment

the service has dealt with over 850 complaints, including those handled by the Trading Standards Advice Centre and those investigated by Trading Standards Officers. In addition to this, our partner agency, the Citizens Advice Consumer Service, has provided advice to over 1,000 local residents within the Borough
a rogue builder was jailed for almost 5 years after a long and complex investigation concluded at Teesside Crown Court in December 2023. Multiple victims from across the region came forward with complaints about substandard and incomplete building work, worth over a combined total of £650,000
during the year, Trading Standards Officers visited over 500 business premises in the Borough. Through these contacts a variety of activities were carried out, including checks on whether businesses were complying with fair trading rules, advice on the labelling of foodstuffs, checks on the safety of products offered for sale, the validity of pricing information and the accuracy of weighing and measuring equipment in use for trade
a local second-hand car dealer was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for fraudulent trading after taking pre-payments worth over £130,000 for motor vehicles advertised on the internet. After taking payment, he would then fail to supply the vehicles, leaving multiple victims from around the country out of pocket. The defendant was also given a Criminal Behaviour Order, banning him from having any involvement in the car trade for 8 years