Latest headlines

Wokingham Campaign on Bonfire Smoke. As we enter the garden clearance season, Wokingham council is urging residents and businesses to consider the manner by which waste is disposed of.   Public Protection Partnership has received a marked increase in bonfire smoke complaints recently, and this is in despite of other forms of disposal being available through the Council’s Waste and recycling services such as The Garden Waste Service and the re 3 Household Waste Recycling Centres which also offer a trade waste service.  Illegal fires can be the result of illegal waste transfer in an effort to save money but these cause a statutory nuisance to neighbours and dark smoke is an offence which impacts on air quality.

New Look Halloween for 2020? As with many things this year our usual Halloween traditions will need to be rethought in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Be Aware of ‘Mystery Shopper’ Scam. Fraudsters are targeting job-seekers with a recruitment scam that has already claimed 35 victims with losses totaling over £51,000. All of the victims so far have been from London. The fraudsters use recruitment websites and apps to identify potential targets. The victim is then cold called by someone claiming to be an employee of a mobile phone network. The caller explains to the victim that they will need to take part in a ‘mystery shopper’ test in order to pass the recruitment process.

Green Homes Grant Fraud. As the Government has recently launched its Green Homes Grant, Trading Standards wish to help protect consumers from the threat of fraud. The Green Homes Grant is an initiative to get homeowners to invest money in improving the energy-efficiency of their property – while also giving the economy a much-needed boost.

Supermarket Distraction Thieves. We’ve recently been notified by Thames Valley Police that during the past week fraudsters are operating in Bracknell town. They are targeting supermarket shoppers, who used either a credit or debit card to make payments by way of entering a 4 digit PIN at the point of sale.

Veterinary Practices & Rescue Centres Working Alongside Animal Warden Team. Our animal warden team have started a recent campaign visiting local veterinary practices and rescue centres across our three areas to encourage working together to re-unite stray dogs and their owners.

Hospitality COVID Regs Update/Summary. Following on from the recent legislation changes affecting the hospitality industry please see document below for clear details on what is currently required on: Contact Tracing / Test & Trace / QR Code / Rule of Six / Social Distancing / Face Masks / Closing at 10pm

Cut down on your alcohol intake – even try a dry month! The long, warm summer nights enjoying a glass of wine, beer, G&T in the garden each night has been great hasn’t it? Have you stopped to think of how many units of alcohol that has added up to over a day, week, month or the whole summer? Probably many more than you think, almost certainly exceeding the government guidelines of a maximum of fourteen units of alcohol a week.

Press Release: Tesco fined £160,000 for out of date food. Tesco was convicted at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 25 September 2020, after pleading guilty to having 46 food items on shelves at their store in Warfield, Bracknell, past their used by dates and deemed unsafe.  Tesco was ordered to pay £160,000 in fines, a victim’s surcharge of £170 and costs of £7,756.50.

Operating a Food Business From Home. Has the COVID pandemic caused you to have to re-think your working arrangements or career? Many people are now looking to work from home and combine their love of cooking and baking. If this is something you are considering then read the following for advice on what steps you'll need to take.