MK City Council increases work on tackling scams, unsafe businesses and illegal sales

Milton Keynes City Council has stepped up efforts to protect residents by tackling rogue traders, supporting scam victims, carrying out underage sales operations and taking action against businesses that put public health at risk.

The City Council’s “Behind the Scenes” trading standards, environmental health and licensing teams responded to thousands of reports and complaints from residents during the summer, covering everything from rogue traders, scams and illegal tobacco sales to food hygiene concerns, noise nuisance, pest infestations and licensing breaches.

Officers also investigated consumer scams, inspected food businesses and worked alongside Thames Valley Police and other agencies to keep communities safe.

Among the cases investigated was a 93-year-old resident targeted by a fraudster posing as a police officer, as well as residents who had lost thousands of pounds through online scams. Trading Standards colleagues provided support to victims while pursuing investigations into those responsible. Previous investigations have helped local people recover thousands of pounds that they had been defrauded out of.

The team’s remit is large, with other operations undertaken also including the carrying out of test purchasing operations for alcohol and vapes, helping prevent age-restricted products from being sold to children and young people.

Food safety inspectors took action where standards fell short, including pursuing legal action against businesses with serious pest infestations, investigating contamination complaints and issuing prohibition notices where there was an immediate risk to public health.

Regulatory Services teams also supported vulnerable residents in safeguarding cases, working with partner organisations to tackle serious hoarding, vermin infestations and waste problems affecting neighbourhoods.

During a busy summer of concerts and events, licensing officers worked with organisers, emergency services and partners to help ensure hundreds of thousands of visitors could attend events safely, as well as cracking down on illegal street trading.

Alongside this work, the city is continuing to push for stronger powers to tackle concerns around out-of-area taxi and private hire licensing. Last month, councillors backed a motion calling on the Government to introduce reforms that would give local authorities greater control over vehicles operating in their areas and strengthen enforcement powers to improve passenger safety.

Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Cllr Sam Crooks, said, “Most people only come across these teams when something has gone wrong, but every day they are working behind the scenes to protect residents and keep communities safe. Whether it’s supporting victims of scams, stopping illegal sales to children, improving food safety standards or tackling issues that affect neighbourhoods, this work makes a real difference to people’s lives.”