Posted on: Tuesday 25 October 2022
Drivers of defective vehicles faced action last week, following a multi-agency operation carried out by officers from Torfaen Council, Gwent Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
As part of an operation to tackle ‘Rogue Traders’, officers from Torfaen Council's Licensing and Trading Standards team, Gwent Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) stopped 34 commercial vehicles in Cwmbran over the course of two days, including taxis, vans and trucks.
Faults, including defective tyres, insecure loads and illegal window tints, giving rise to potential offences, were identified with five vehicles.
Five prohibitions were issued by the DVSA requiring immediate action, which included loads to be secured and tyres to be changed. Four delayed prohibitions were also issued for other faults.
Officers from the Council’s Licensing and Trading Standards team spoke with each driver to offer advice on meeting their obligations to ensure their trading practices are safe and legal.
Alongside vehicle checks, officers were also out in the community visiting businesses to check for counterfeit goods.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for the Environment, said: "It is essential that all commercial vehicles are safe and road worthy, especially if you are using them as a form of transport.
“Safe vehicles help reduce the risk of accidents, which is why carrying out spot checks are so important to identify faults and those who may be trading illegally.
“Rogue traders who operate using commercial vehicles are often opportunistic and unscrupulous, targeting the most vulnerable in our communities for profit.
“Crimes like these can have a huge impact on victims and will not be tolerated in Torfaen. We continue to urge residents to contact our trading standards team by phoning 01495 762200 or emailing trading.standards@torfaen.gov.uk if they suspect rogue trading practices.”
Find out more about what the trading standards team get up to this Trading Standards Wales Week by following the Council on social media and following the hashtag
#weareTradingStandardsWales