2024
December 2024
Abandoned vehicles
Environmental Protection Officers have been investigating 199 reports of abandoned vehicles, which has led to a total of 57 vehicles being removed from the public highway. Of those vehicles, 16 were untaxed.
Clampdown on unsafe food
A quantity of unsafe food has been signed over for disposal and removed from the food chain including cans of Mountain Dew containing banned additive Disodium EDTA Acid (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid). Although it is an authorised additive used to preserve food, it is not permitted in flavoured drinks in Great Britain, as it has been linked to developmental issues in animal studies. Also a quantity of mini jelly cups containing banned additive Carrageenan (E407), which is widely used as a food additive in processed foods for its properties as a thickener, gelling agent, emulsifier and stabilizer. It is not permitted to be used in a range of gel-forming compounds, such as jelly cups, to avoid the possibility of 'plugging' the airway and therefore posing a choking hazard.
Both of the above food products were imported from outside of Great Britain (GB). Therefore, their labelling did not comply with GB Food Law.
Clampdown on illegal cigarettes
Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards, along with a sniffer dog handler have seized around £99,500 of illegal cigarettes, from a retail outlet in Wednesbury.
November 2024
Street racing banned in the Black Country
Street racers beware!
Three more street racers have received suspended prison sentences with orders to pay court costs after breaching the Black Country-wide injunction in Sandwell.
Read the full news release here
Clampdown on illegal vape and tabacco items
As part of #ASBAwarenessWeek our officers along with Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards have seized around £100,000 of illegal items including a large haul off oversized vapes, chewing tobacco, cannabis sweets and illicit medical products.
Read the full press release here
Combatting Underage Knife Sales
As part of the Knife Angel initiative and Operation Sceptre, Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards team, in collaboration with West Midlands Police, conducted undercover test purchasing operations last month to determine whether local retailers were complying with laws prohibiting the sales of knives to underage people.
During these operations, 15-year-old volunteers attempted to purchase knives and other bladed items.
Alarming results revealed that nine out of ten shops failed to ask the young volunteers for identification, allowing the illegal sales of kitchen knives, Stanley knives and other bladed items. These offending retailers have been formally warned by Trading Standards and the Police and will be subject to follow-up test purchases. Further breaches could result in criminal prosecution and substantial fines.
Read the full press release here
Health and Safety Action
A food business in Smethwick voluntarily closed following an inspection by a food safety officer. The officer found widespread evidence of mouse activity throughout the premises and poor cleaning and was satisfied that the conditions present an imminent risk of injury to health. The business closed to carry out pest proofing and a pest treatment for mice, along with a deep clean. The business was allowed to reopen a few days later once the officer was satisfied that the work to remove the imminent risk had been removed.
A further food business in Smethwick was asked to close immediately, following an inspection by a food safety officer. The officer found a number of mouse droppings on packed and tinned food, also on sheves and underneath display units. The shop also sold open food such as fruit and vegetables and officers were satisfied that the conditions presented an imminent risk of contamination to food. The business owner subsequently carried out significant cleaning and disinfection and a pest control treatment for mice, to ensure the premises was free of mice. The business has since been allowed to reopen following the deep clean.
New Policy Consultation
Sandwell Council is consulting on a proposed Code of Conduct for the Display of Goods and Advertising Boards on the Adopted Footway.
Concerns about businesses displaying goods on the footpath outside shop fronts and in some cases along kerbside opposite shops have been long standing as these shop front displays can narrow footways for pedestrians and obscure sight lines, with potential safety hazard for vulnerable people with sight impairments or wheelchairs user.
The proposed code of conduct aims to take a staged approach to dealing with items placed on the adopted footway. By taking this approach, the council wants to ensure the free passage for Sandwell pedestrians along footpaths and the highway and to seek an improvement in the visual street environment. The code will enable the council to address issues caused by obstructions fairly and consistently.
The consultation opened on Thursday 26 September and will run until Wednesday 11 December 2024. Details of the proposed code of conduct and the consultation are available on our Consultation Hub. Alternatively, you can send email us at PPP_team@sandwell.gov.uk or send your comments by post to Public Protection Team, Sandwell Council House, PO Box 2374, Oldbury, B69 3DE.
October 2024
Health and Safety Action
A food business in Smethwick voluntarily closed following an inspection by a food safety officer. The officer found widespread evidence of mouse activity throughout the premises and poor cleaning and was satisfied that the conditions present an imminent risk of injury to health. The business closed to carry out pest proofing and a pest treatment for mice, along with a deep clean. The business was allowed to reopen a few days later once the officer was satisfied that the work to remove the imminent risk had been removed.
A further food business in Smethwick was asked to close immediately, following an inspection by a food safety officer. The officer found a number of mouse droppings on packed and tinned food, also on sheves and underneath display units. The shop also sold open food such as fruit and vegetables and officers were satisfied that the conditions presented an imminent risk of contamination to food. The business owner subsequently carried out significant cleaning and disinfection and a pest control treatment for mice, to ensure the premises was free of mice. The business has since been allowed to reopen following the deep clean.
New Policy Consultation
Sandwell Council is consulting on a proposed Code of Conduct for the Display of Goods and Advertising Boards on the Adopted Footway.
Concerns about businesses displaying goods on the footpath outside shop fronts and in some cases along kerbside opposite shops have been long standing as these shop front displays can narrow footways for pedestrians and obscure sight lines, with potential safety hazard for vulnerable people with sight impairments or wheelchairs user.
The proposed code of conduct aims to take a staged approach to dealing with items placed on the adopted footway. By taking this approach, the council wants to ensure the free passage for Sandwell pedestrians along footpaths and the highway and to seek an improvement in the visual street environment. The code will enable the council to address issues caused by obstructions fairly and consistently.
The consultation opened on Thursday 26 September and will run until Wednesday 11 December 2024. Details of the proposed code of conduct and the consultation are available on our Consultation Hub. Alternatively, you can send email us at PPP_team@sandwell.gov.uk or send your comments by post to Public Protection Team, Sandwell Council House, PO Box 2374, Oldbury, B69 3DE.
September 2024
Street racing banned in the Black Country
Street racers beware!
Two men and a woman who organised illegal street racing in the West Midlands have been handed lengthy jail sentences in a major victory on our fight against the dangerous gatherings.
Read the full news release about the latest successful court case
Freeth Street, Oldbury
Rapid Response Operatives responded to four seperate fly-tipping incidents that occured in a hotspot area of Sainsbury's overflow car park in Oldbury. General household rubbish, gas bottles and appliances were dumped in the clothing recycling area. Upon investigating evidence provided by West Midlands Police, £1000 Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued to all four offenders for fly-tipping.
Barley Fields, Tividale
Rapid Response Operatives responded to reports of a fly tip in Barley Fields, Tividale where a homeowner had paid a man with a van £60 to remove rubbish from their property. The resident didn’t use or check that the person they used was a licensed waste carrier and could not provide the required paperwork; the homeowner was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £600 for failing in their Household Waste Duty of Care.
Health and Safety Action
A pub in West Bromwich was served with a Prohibition notice under the Health and Safety at Work legislation, for an unguarded cellar hatch behind the bar. When the cellar hatch was open there was a risk of someone falling down the hatch as there was no suitable guard placed around the hatch nor any suitable means of restricting access to the unmanned bar servery area. The business has since fitted a suitable guard.
Reports were received from a contractor that they had safety concerns around the use of a mincing machine in a butchers in Oldbury. There was access to the moving parts of the mincer and they were concerned that someone could put their hand into the feeder when feeding meat into the mincer which posed a significant risk of injury. Advice was given by the contractor and when an Environmental Health Officer visited with the intention of serving a prohibition notice under Health and Safety legislation, they found that the butcher had already purchased a mincer plunger which is now being used to feed meat into the feeder.
A food business in Smethwick voluntarily closed following an inspection by a food safety officer. The officer found widespread evidence of mouse activity throughout the premises and poor cleaning and was satisfied that the conditions present an imminent risk of injury to health. The business closed to carry out pest proofing and a pest treatment for mice, along with a deep clean. The business was allowed to reopen a few days later once the officer was satisfied that the work to remove the imminent risk had been removed.
A butchers in Tipton was served with a Prohibition notice under the Health and Safety at Work legislation, due to an unsafe band saw. The guard to the band saw blade was not in use and was being held out of the way with an elastic band. Access to the blade posed a significant risk of injury. The butcher has since purchased a new band saw with guards in place.
A business in Oldbury was served with a Prohibition notice under the Health and Safety at Work legislation, due to an unsafe mezzanine level which was being used for storage and posed a risk of falling from height as there was no suitable guarding around the edge. Access to the area was prohibited and the owner has now taken the storage area out of use.
Anti-Social Behaviour
The team obtained two interim injunctions against two council tenants due to their violent and aggressive behaviour towards Council employees and contractors, within West Bromwich.
The injunctions prohibit them from causing further harm towards the employees and allows them to carry out their daily duties without the fear of this behaviour. Breach of this injunction could lead to an arrest made by the police and a custodial sentence.
New Policy Consultation
Sandwell Council is consulting on a proposed Code of Conduct for the Display of Goods and Advertising Boards on the Adopted Footway.
Concerns about businesses displaying goods on the footpath outside shop fronts and in some cases along kerbside opposite shops have been long standing as these shop front displays can narrow footways for pedestrians and obscure sight lines, with potential safety hazard for vulnerable people with sight impairments or wheelchairs user.
The proposed code of conduct aims to take a staged approach to dealing with items placed on the adopted footway. By taking this approach, the council wants to ensure the free passage for Sandwell pedestrians along footpaths and the highway and to seek an improvement in the visual street environment. The code will enable the council to address issues caused by obstructions fairly and consistently.
The consultation opened on Thursday 26 September and will run until Wednesday 11 December 2024. Details of the proposed code of conduct and the consultation are available on our Consultation Hub. Alternatively, you can send email us at PPP_team@sandwell.gov.uk or send your comments by post to Public Protection Team, Sandwell Council House, PO Box 2374, Oldbury, B69 3DE.
August 2024
Street racing banned in the Black Country
Street racers beware!
Two men and a woman who organised illegal street racing in the West Midlands have been handed lengthy jail sentences in a major victory on our fight against the dangerous gatherings.
Read the full news release about the latest successful court case
Abandoned vehicles
Environmental Protection Officers have been investigating 218 reports of abandoned vehicles, which has led to a total of 45 vehicles being removed from the public highway. Of those vehicles, 27 were untaxed.
Walsall Road, West Bromwich
Rapid Response Operatives responded to reports of a fly tip in Walsall Road, West Bromwich where a homeowner had paid a man on Facebook to remove domestic waste from their property. The resident didn’t use or check that the person they used was a licensed waste carrier and could not provide the required paperwork; the homeowner was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £600 for failing in their Household Waste Duty of Care.
Roebuck Lane, Smethwick
Rapid Response Operatives responded to reports of a fly tip in Roebuck Lane, Smethwick where a homeowner had paid a man to remove general waste from their property. The resident didn’t use or check that the person they used was a licensed waste carrier and could not provide the required paperwork; the homeowner was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £600 for failing in their Household Waste Duty of Care.
Freeth Street, Oldbury
Rapid Response Operatives responded to two seperate fly-tipping incidents that occured in a hotspot area of Sainsbury's overflow car park in Oldbury. Bags of general household rubbish were dumped in the clothing recycling area. Upon investigating evidence provided by West Midlands Police, £1000 Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued to both offenders.
Upgraded CCTV Updates
Sandwell Councils CCTV team have been making good use of new and upgraded CCTV cameras in Wednesbury and Friar Park. These cameras, installed as part of the Governments Levelling Up programme, have been key in responding to a spate of crimes across Wednesbury and we can report on a couple of positive outcomes.
Footage was captured by Sandwell Council cameras showing individuals breaking into properties in Wednesbury town centre. The footage captured by our control room operators was shared with police colleagues who later arrested two individuals who are suspected of being responsible for a spate of burglaries and a metal theft in the town. Police colleagues confirmed that they have arrested two people who were both charged and remanded to Court. Thanks were passed on to the CCTV team with police colleagues praising us for a really great result. Articles from the Express and Star below:
Two men arrested after spate of burglaries in town centre | Express & Star (expressandstar.com)
Our upgraded camera system at Friar Park has also been put to good use. Several individuals were observed behaving suspiciously and after some good camera work by control room staff Police colleagues were alerted. Arrests were made as a result of this partnership working that has seen individuals charged with a spate of thefts and robberies. Police colleagues passed on their thanks to the CCTV team with the one of the arresting officers stating the following.
“I would like to express my thanks to your CCTV control room who were instrumental in apprehending these offenders who have been committing some violent and nasty robberies across the borough of Sandwell. Without them and their help I have no doubt they would still be out committing these offences, so please pass on my thanks”.
June and July 2024
Street racing banned in the Black Country
Street racers beware!
We’ve successfully now taken five drivers to court for breaching the Black Country-wide street racing injunction in Kenrick Way, West Bromwich – all five received a suspended prison sentence.
Police are also now informing drivers’ insurers of street racing offences. We will continue to work closely with Sandwell Police and other councils to tackle dangerous and anti-social street racing.
Read the full news release about the latest successful court case
Abandoned vehicles
Environmental Protection Officers have been investigating 70 reports of abandoned vehicles, which has led to a total of 10 vehicles being removed from the public highway. Of those vehicles, 4 were untaxed.
Bath Row, Oldbury
Rapid Response Operatives responded to reports of a fly tip in Bath Row, Oldbury where a homeowner had paid an un-licensed waste carrier to remove domestic waste from their property. The resident didn’t use or check that the person they used was a licensed waste carrier and could not provide the required paperwork; the homeowner was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £600 for failing in their Household Waste Duty of Care.
Freeth Street, Oldbury
Rapid Response Operatives responded to a fly-tipping incident that occured in a hotspot area of Sainsbury's overflow car park in Oldbury. Bags of children's toys and a child seat were left in the clothing recycling area. Upon investigating evidence provided by West Midlands Police, a £1000 Fixed Penalty Notice has been issued.
Philip Road, Tipton
Rapid Response Operatives responded to reports of a fly tip in Philip Road, Tipton. Following work being undertaken at their home, a resident dumped the associated rubbish on nearby land. Following an investigation of evidence provided a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice has been issued.
Trading Standards, Seizes £120,000 of illegal goods
As part of Operation CeCe, Sandwell Council Trading Standards, in partnership with the Modern Slavery Team, General Licensing Department and West Midlands Police, conducted three raids across the borough. Over £120,000 worth of illegal goods were confiscated during the operation.
Read the full news release about this raid
Trading Standards, Tackling the Sale of Age Restricted Products
Sandwell Trading Standards conducted a series of undercover test purchases to determine compliance in the sale of age-restricted product legislation. A young volunteer, acting under the instruction of Trading Standards, attempted to buy tobacco, alcohol, and vapes from various shops across the Borough.
Out of the twenty premises visited, 35% of businesses illegally sold age-restricted products to our young volunteer. The five retailers who were not compliant received written warnings and were reminded of the seriousness of the offence and the potential consequences of any further breaches.
Trading Standards, Cracking down on counterfeit vapes
Officers found a significant haul of counterfeit vapes hidden in a loft hatch during a multi-agency operation with West Midlands Police to crackdown on illegal vapes and tobacco.
So far this year it is reported that around 3,200 vapes, 127,300 cigarettes and 23 pouches of shisha had been seized in Sandwell, equating to more than £100,000 in retail value.
Read the full news release about this raid
April and May 2024
Street racing banned in the Black Country
Street racers beware!
We’ve successfully now taken four drivers to court for breaching the Black Country-wide street racing injunction in Kenrick Way, West Bromwich – all four received a suspended prison sentence. The latest street racing court case involved a driver who raced another vehicle and drove at a speed of around 80mph in March 2024. As well as a suspended prison sentence, the driver was ordered to pay more than £3,000 in court costs.
Sandwell Police arrested another street racer in Kenrick Way in May 2024. Police are also now informing drivers’ insurers of street racing offences. We will continue to work closely with Sandwell Police and other councils to tackle dangerous and anti-social street racing. The case was heard in court on 23 May 2024 and the individual received a suspended custodial sentence.
Read the full news release about the latest successful court case
Multi Agency Road Safety Operation
Taxi Licensing Enforcement Officers have undertaken another successful multi-agency operation with West Midlands Police and other agencies, to carry out vehicle safety checks in Smethwick. As part of the operation various vehicles were seized for having no insurance, tints removed and number plates not correctly spaced out. One Sandwell taxi driver was stopped for not wearing a seatbelt and will be issued with a fine. Another was stopped as a general check-up but their identification card needed to be updated, as keeping our records up to date is very important.
Abandoned vehicles
Environmental Protection Officers have been investigating reports of abandoned vehicles, which has led to a total of 23 vehicles being removed from the public highway. Of those vehicles, 12 were untaxed.
Tackling waste accumulation, Cradley Heath
Formal action has been taken against a landowner, in order to tackle an accumulation of waste on an area of land in Cradley Heath. The landowner was served with a statutory notice under Section 4 of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949, which required the landowner to remove the waste materials from the land (failure to comply is an offence punishable with a fine of up to £1000). In addition to the fine, Sandwell Council could have carried out the works in default, then charged the landowner. The landowner complied with the notice and all waste has now been cleared from the site.
Stanhope Road, Smethwick
Rapid Response Operatives responded to reports of a fly tip in Stanhope Road, Smethwick, where a homeowner had paid a male £90 to remove a tipper load of building waste and domestic waste from their property. The resident didn’t use or check that the person they used was a licensed waste carrier and could not provide the required paperwork; the homeowner was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £400 for failing in their Household Waste Duty of Care.
Wattis Road, Smethwick
Rapid Response Operatives responded to reports of a fly tip in Wattis Road, Smethwick, where a homeowner had paid a male £30 to remove furniture and domestic waste from their property. The resident didn’t use or check that the person they used was a licensed waste carrier and could not provide the required paperwork; the homeowner was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £400 for failing in their Household Waste Duty of Care.
Nine Leasowes, Smethwick
Rapid Response Operatives responded to reports of a fly tip in Nine Leasowes, Smethwick, where a homeowner had paid someone to remove a tonne bag of domestic waste. The resident didn’t use or check that the person they used was a licensed waste carrier and could not provide the required paperwork; the homeowner was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £400 for failing in their Household Waste Duty of Care.
Ballott Street, Smethwick
Rapid Response Operatives responded to a littering incident, in Ballott Street, Smethwick, address details were discovered amongst the bag which had been deposited in a skip, which has led to a local resident being issued with a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice.
March 2024
Health and Safety Action
A catering establishment in Tipton was served a Prohibition notice to stop the use of a dangerous bandsaw which was found without a safety guard fitted. At the time of the visit the guard, used to protect hands when pushing meat onto the blade, was being held up with an elastic band and was not being used. A more suitable guard has since been fitted and the business have been allowed to use the bandsaw again.
Trading Standards Illegal Treatments
Sandwell Trading Standards participated in a national project regarding the services of Botox and other fillers, such as lip fillers, to minors. Out of eight businesses contacted, half were found to be offering illegal treatments to children under 18. These offending businesses received written warnings and may face enforcement action in the future.
Abandoned vehicles
Environmental Protection Officers have been investigating reports of abandoned vehicles, which has led to a total of thirty vehicles being removed from the public highway. Of those vehicles, sixteen were untaxed.
Anti-Social Behaviour
Sandwell Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour, Housing and Legal teams, along with the Police, successfully secured an eviction notice to evict two tenants who lived in Kynaston House, West Bromwich. The individuals were reported to be involved in causing anti-social and criminal behaviour in and around the neighbourhood. The property can now be let out to new tenants, and we hope this eviction has made a difference within the local community.
February 2024
CCTV cameras help catch cannabis growing in Smethwick
A total of 435 cannabis plants, worth an estimated £435,000, were seized by police in Bearwood Road, Smethwick, after Sandwell Council CCTV operators noticed a group of people acting suspiciously in the area.
Operators alerted police to what was initially thought to be a burglary but, after response officers arrived at the scene at Bearwood Road, they quickly found a drug growing operation taking place at the address, with 435 plants spanning over two floors. The electricity meter had also been bypassed to power the operation.
The plants were taken away to be destroyed following the find. Investigations continue to take place.
Reginald Road, Smethwick
Rapid Response Operatives identified a fly tip in Reginald Road, Smethwick, address details were discovered amongst the rubbish, which has led to a local resident being issued with a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice.
Barn Croft, Tipton
Rapid Response Operatives responded to reports of a fly tip in Barn Croft, Tipton, the team received video footage of a sofa being dumped on a nearly embankment. Once identified, the homeowner was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £400 for failing in their Household Waste Duty of Care.
Church Road, Smethwick
Rapid Response Operatives located waste whilst on proactive patrols in Church Road, Smethwick. Details pertaining to an address were discovered amongst the rubbish, which has led to a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice being issued as the resident has admitted to dumping the waste.
Trading Standards Illegal Vapes
Sandwell Trading Standards Officers along with West Midlands Police raided a shop in Great Bridge, where around 500 illegal vapes were seized, worth in excess of £5,000.
Multi Agency Road Safety Operation
Taxi Licensing Enforcement Officers have undertaken multi-agency operations with West Midlands Police and other agencies, to carry out vehicle safety checks. As part of the operation various vehicles were seized for being overweight, or having no insurance. Three Sandwell taxis were checked and found to be compliant with licensing operations.
Abandoned vehicles
Environmental Protection Officers have been investigating reports of abandoned vehicles, which has led to a total of thirty vehicles being removed from the public highway. Of those vehicles, nineteen were untaxed.
Street racing banned in the Black Country
Following the prosecution of a street racer in January 2024, the high court has now granted a full and final injunction banning 'street racing' in the Black Country. The injunction will remain in force for at least three years, and will be subject to an annual review.
Read the full news release about this latest injunction.
January 2024
Abandoned vehicles
Environmental Protection Officers have been investigating reports of abandoned vehicles, which has led to a total of forty five vehicles being removed from the public highway. Of those vehicles, twenty nine were untaxed.
Health and Safety Action
West Bromwich – A complaint was received about noise from a generator at a retailer in West Bromwich. A visit was carried out and officers found that the generator was being used to provide electricity to 2 businesses. The generator had been installed following a visit from National Grid who had cut off the electrical supply in both premises due to non-payment. Officers found that the generator had been connected up unsafely to the distribution board and there were a number of exposed live electrical wiring throughout the business, which posed a risk of electric shock to staff. Prohibition notices were served to prevent the use of the electrical supply and the owner was required to carry out work to make the electrical system safe.
Food Hygiene Inspections Enforcement Action
A catering establishment in Smethwick was closed down for two days due to an imminent risk of injury to health from mice activity. The business was allowed to reopen once a deep clean had taken place and they had taken steps to rid the premises of mice.
Sona Foods Ltd and Traditional Authentic Foods Ltd
The company owner pleaded guilty to offences relating to the supply of unsafe food (in this case, milk not being listed on the nutritional information label) and traceability. Each of the two companies were fined £3,500 and ordered to pay victim surcharges of £190, along with full costs of £2,177. This total of £9,557, needs to be paid within six months, as enforced by the Court.
Street racer receives suspended prison sentence for racing in West Bromwich
A street racer was recently prosecuted, receiving a suspended prison sentence, linked to street racing. A final hearing about the Black Country street racing injunction is scheduled for February 2024.