Checking for dodgy goods

HUNDREDS of second-hand electrical goods and items of furniture have been checked by Liverpool trading standards officers in a drive to ensure safety for  bargain-hunters. 

The three-month project has seen them inspect 106 shops including charity stores, house clearance businesses, antique shops and ‘cash for goods’ national chains. 

About 1,000 items were checked, nearly 700 of them being electrical goods, and 68 were seized for not complying with safety requirements. 

Among the goods seized were two fires, a fridge, coffee-maker, a foot spa, lamps, sofas and chairs. 

Where possible the seized goods were made safe by social enterprise CREATE (Community Recycling Education and Training Enterprise) in Speke and returned to traders to sell. A bike and nine electrical items were recycled in this way. 

“This was a very important project,” said Councillor Tim Moore, cabinet member for the environment and climate change. “With the current economic climate the number of people relying on second hand goods has increased and this is reflected in the growing number of traders dealing in these items. 

“We also have a number of new communities settling in Liverpool and they may be looking for second hand goods as they set up home.”