Agenda item

Rob Vale, (Head of Trading Standards & Community Safety) attended the meeting to answer any questions that may have arisen around his written report on the contribution made by Trading Standards to the health and wellbeing of Bromley residents. He also attended to deliver a PowerPoint presentation entitled, “Fix You,”  which was a presentation that showed how Trading Standards was working to protect vulnerable Bromley residents.

The report outlined the key work areas which contributed to the Health and Wellbeing Agenda priorities of the Service.

The Board heard that Trading Standards enforced a wide range of legislation that tackled criminal activity (such as doorstep crime), and misleading trading that adversely effected consumers, especially those who were older or otherwise vulnerable.

Training and awareness raising events were provided by Trading Standards to all their partners, both statutory and voluntary, these included bank staff, fire officers, care workers and postal workers. Information packs were provided to older and vulnerable residents. The Board were informed that a Rapid Response number was available for the public to use to report any incident where a suspected crime was taking place. Trading Standards benefited from the services of a financial investigator that sat within the team. 

The Board were informed that another important area of work undertaken by Trading Standards was tackling the supply of illegal tobacco and alcohol. This was a problem, as illegal and cheap tobacco increased the supply of this substance on the market, with the consequent detrimental effects on public health. Counterfeit tobacco had been shown to contain higher levels of nicotine and more harmful carbon monoxide than standard tobacco products.

With respect to alcohol, the Board were concerned to hear that vodka was the most counterfeited spirit, and could include fake versions of well-known brands as well as brand names not commonly known. Ingredients could include ant-freeze, screen wash or nail polish remover which could cause blindness, or in the worst cases, death. There had been recent seizures of non-duty paid tobacco which had failed to comply with UK packaging.

Mr Vale explained to the Board that another very important part of the work of trading standards, was to tackle the supply of age restricted goods, particularly alcohol. This was undertaken by enforcing the “Challenge 25” verification system. Work had also been undertaken to reduce the supply of dangerous and counterfeit products, and psychoactive substances. 

After outlining the main points of the report, Mr Vale proceeded with his PowerPoint presentation, the summary of which is outlined below:

·  Victims were persuaded to part with money as a result of postal, telephone or electronic communications received at home

·  Victims were persuaded to part with money as a result of door step scams 

·  The average age of victims of scams and door step crime was 74

·  Old and lonely people were more likely to be scammed, and the problem of loneliness was linked to cognitive decline

·  Financial scamming often had very serious consequences for individuals and for society, and in many cases could constitute a life changing event 

·  The effects of being defrauded in your own home could be very serious, including a loss of confidence, greater susceptibility to repeat crime and 2.5 times more likely to either need care or to die in the next 5 years

·  Other consequences of being a victim of fraud in your own home included depression, and a withdrawal and isolation from family and friends

·  Mr Vale outlined the data concerning the current and predicted figures around the elderly population in Bromley, combined with the increase in individuals suffering from dementia. This meant that the problem in Bromley would probably worsen

·  It was the case that the reporting of scams and doorstep crime could be as little as 5% 

·  Work was being undertaken to disseminate information to partners, and to potential victims

·  Calls to the Trading Standards emergency helpline had been increasing—the emergency helpline number was 07903 852 090

·  It was estimated that £2.5m had been saved by Trading Standards interventions and disruption since 2006

·  The presentation included quotes from victim impact statements

Cllr Carr asked Mr Vale if it was possible to ascertain how successful the work had been. Mr Vale responded that this was difficult to empirically qualify, and that the main aim of the work was to raise awareness and reporting. He stated that surveys had shown that cold callers were not welcomed. Trading Standards provided stickers that people could display to deter cold callers, but nevertheless, cold calling was not unlawful. It was agreed that although the work of Trading Standards could not prevent cold callers, it was successful in raising awareness, reporting and in the dissemination of knowledge.

Dr Andrew Parson commented that he had seen patients in his practice that had suffered from these scams, and that the impact on their mental health was significant. He suggested that it would be helpful to disseminate information concerning cold calling and scammers via primary care agents such as Community Matrons.  Dr Parsons felt that it may be good to show the presentation to GP Practice Managers.

Mr Vale highlighted a case to the Board of an 89 year old individual that had recently lost £39k life savings, and the impact that this had had not only on the individual concerned, but also on the rest of the family. In these cases there would also be a corresponding knock on effect that would impact on services.

The Chairman wondered if elected ward councillors could also play a role in the promotion and dissemination of appropriate information. Mr Vale stated that he appreciated the current support shown by Members, and that he was also planning to take his presentation to Resident’s Associations. 

Linda Gabriel stated that she would encourage the dissemination of information via Healthwatch and Mind. Mr Vale responded that he had already presented to Mind, and that he was presenting to the Royal Voluntary Society in Bromley the following week. Indeed it was the case that Trading Standards was planning to focus on engagement with the voluntary sector much more.

Cllr Ruth Bennett, felt that it was imperative to get families involved, and to use services like ex-directory, and the call preference scheme. It may also be wise to set up a separate bank account that the elderly or vulnerable person did not have access to, and grant power of attorney to a trusted family member. This would mean that if a scammer or cold caller got hold of the original account which would contain limited funds, the resultant financial loss would be greatly diminished. 

It was noted that the presentation had been shown previously to the Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee, and that it may be shown at a future date to the Safer Bromley Partnership Strategic Group. It was also suggested that Mr Vale present to the Women’s Institute, and Mr Vale confirmed that he wold be happy to do this. 

The Chairman thanked Mr Vale for his excellent and informative presentation, and for all of the excellent work being undertaken by Trading Standards, which contributed positively to the health and wellbeing of Bromley residents , and also to the aims and objectives of the Council.

RESOLVED that the Health and Wellbeing Board note the report and presentation from Bromley Trading Standards.