Agenda item

It is recommended that the Joint Committee endorses the approaches regarding the selling of knives to under 18s and the enforcement of road weight restrictions, as laid out in the reports.

Declarations of interest: 

There were none.

Witnesses:

Amanda Poole, Assistant Head of Trading Standards

Steven Ruddy, Head of Trading Standards

Key points from the discussion:

 a.        Sales of Knives to Under 18s

1. Officers introduced the “Sales of Knives to Under 18s” report and provided a brief summary.  Members noted the following details:

·      The Committee had been briefed previously on, the police led, Operation Sceptre and the level of sales of knives to persons under the age of 18.   

·      It was noted that a date had been arranged in October 2019 to carry out an operation with the Police in Surrey, but the location was unknown at the time of the meeting.  Officers reported that last year Trading Standards was reliant on the Police approaching them with information.  Operation Sceptre was now more established but a Member felt the service needed to be more proactive on acting on intelligence and having input into the area to be targeted.  The Member also commented that the sale of knives to persons under 18 was an established issue rather than an emerging issue.  Officers explained that the focus had moved from the sales of cigarettes to the sale of knives.

2. A Member asked if there was a policy to carry out the operation jointly with the police.  Officers explained that Trading Standards worked with the police, partly because of Operation Sceptre, and also to help develop the relationship with the police for test purchases in Buckinghamshire and Surrey.  The police cadets were used to attempt to buy knives and would probably also be used for test online sales.

3. Trading Standards tended to enforce the legislation and carry out any prosecutions that resulted.

4. Officers acknowledged that there was always more that could be done but it would take away resources which were already stretched.

5. The government had identified the top ten areas in the country for knife crime and had increased resources in these areas.  However, neither Buckinghamshire nor Surrey was in the high risk top ten.  Trading Standards had managed with existing resources.  After a brief discussion on resources and target areas; the Chairman stated that targeting was valid but did not feel more resources were required in this area; he would prefer to see more resources on scam awareness.  

Actions/ further information to be provided:

Officers to investigate the areas to target in Surrey and liaise with the Youth Offending Service.

RESOLVED:

The Trading Standards Joint Committee endorsed Trading Standards working with the police on this issue and to carry out the test purchase operations as suggested in the report.

b.        Enforcement of Road Weight Restrictions

Key points from the discussion:

1. Officers introduced the “Enforcement of Road Weight Restrictions” report and provided a brief summary.  Members noted the following details:

·           Neither the Trading Standards Service nor the police had engaged actively in this area for a number of years due to a lack of resources. 

·           There were local concerns over heavy weight vehicles causing harm to bridges and damaging infrastructure. 

·           Officers had worked in partnership with the Surrey Heath Police division to investigate two locations and would use the information learned.

·           The pilot aimed to raise the profile of what could be undertaken and also act as a deterrent.

2. It was noted that the pilot could open up a potential demand which the Service would struggle to meet. 

3. A member commented that the Police needed to be behind the scheme as otherwise it would be seen as wasting time; the Member also suggested issuing a joint letter to Thames Valley Police and Surrey Police; it was agreed this should wait until after Brexit.

4. Oxon were installing an ANPR camera to check vehicles; however, officers explained that it could be quite complex to enforce and expensive.  It would involve a large investment to put in place as there was the cost of the cameras, licensing and GDPR procedures to comply with.  There were also exemptions which would apply.

5. The building of HS2 and the third runway at Heathrow would result in many more heavy vehicles on the roads in the county and it was agreed it would be useful to monitor the situation and receive feedback on the pilot scheme.

Actions/ further information to be provided:

Officers to consider issuing a joint letter to Thames Valley Police and Surrey Police after Brexit.

RESOLVED:

The Trading Standards Joint Committee;

       I.        Endorsed the pilot operation in Surrey and supported a pilot operation in Buckinghamshire.

      II.        Considered any issues arising from these operations in a subsequent report to be brought to the Joint Committee in spring 2020.