Public protection officers dealt with over 10k cases in 2024

Enforcement officers have been working hard to help keep Tameside clean and safe by dealing with over 10,000 public protection investigations and requests during 2024.

The activity, carried out by the council’s public protection teams, has included 16 prosecutions against people who have illegally dumped waste in the borough and 345 Fixed Penalty Notice issued by the waste enforcement team for waste related offences.

Trading Standards worked on 14 prosecutions, investigated 101 scams and 19 under age sales and seized 7953 illegal e-cigarettes, over 200,000 illegal cigarettes and over 43kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco. Trade in illicit tobacco, cigarettes and e cigarettes supports crime rings, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.

They also carried out 153 food standards inspections, actioned 591 requests for service and completed 71 Buy With Confidence checks.

Environmental health officers were also busy, carrying out 955 food hygiene and health and safety inspections and following up 1649 complaints and requests for service.

Other areas covered in the figures include housing standards, licensing, environmental protection, health and safety enforcement and food safety and standards. You can see a full overview at  https://www.tameside.gov.uk/EnforcementPanelStats2004

Tameside Council Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhood Cllr Laura Boyle said: “We have officers out every day working with businesses and residents to make Tameside safer and cleaner and these figures showcase the breadth and vast scale of this public protection activity.

“Everyone has a responsibility to take pride in neighbourhoods and keep them clean and tidy. Thank you to everyone who works with the council to protect the local community and environment.”

To report any issues to the enforcement teams see www.tameside.gov.uk/ReportIt