Illicit cigarettes and tobacco products are a persistent blight on our High Streets.  Sold under the counter, from back rooms, secret storage areas or even out of car boots, these products often evade duty, flout packaging laws and pose serious health risks to consumers. The hunt for illicit tobacco is more than just chasing down cheap cigarettes.  As a Trading Standards Officer, you’ll quickly learn that the fight against illicit tobacco is about protecting communities, s

Illicit alcohol isn’t just a regulatory headache for Trading Standards Officers, it’s a public health risk, a criminal enterprise and a drain on legitimate trade.  From counterfeit spirits and wines to fraudulent wine investments, the scope of alcohol-related crime is vast and evolving.  

Genuine toys meet strict safety standards. But the counterfeits, not so much. They’ve been found with choking hazards, toxic materials, missing CE or UKCA markings and no importer details to name just a few of the issues. Shockingly, 3 out of every 4 toys tested failed the necessary safety tests.