Highland Council's Trading Standards are warning residents on the dangers of buying equipment from door-to-door traders after it seized numerous items in the Fort William area.

Over 20 items such as welders, impact wrenches and plasma cutters were confiscated following community safety action alongside Police Scotland.

The equipment is thought to have originated from Ireland and after being examined by trading standards staff, several pieces were found to be in breach of safety regulations.

Most of the breaches were with regard to inadequate CE markings, incomplete equipment and inadequate paperwork meaning that the standard of safety and the quality of the items could not be guaranteed.

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In addition, three of the items were found to contain potentially dangerous fuse adaptations, which bypass the fuse altogether. This would lead to the fuse failing to cut out as it should in the event of a power overload.

Trading Standards Team Leader, Mark McGinty said: "When it comes to community safety we have an excellent relationship with Police Scotland and the seizure of these items just demonstrates this. This is the first time in Highland that we have come across this sort of adaptation to equipment which we believe was being sold door to door from the back of a van.  Consumers and small businesses should always be wary about buying goods from itinerant traders as what may seem like a good deal could in fact end up being an item that simply doesn't work, or worse, could pose a serious risk of harm or injury."

Phil Buckle, Director-General of Electrical Safety First, added: "We're becoming increasingly concerned about the availability of substandard electrical items. In the last year, the number of people in Scotland that have seen or purchased electrical goods that in one way or another have not been entirely legal has doubled – that is a worrying increase.

"Whilst these products might look ok on the outside, when parts are missing, or are substandard in build, they are at risk of exploding, leaving people open to serious injury or property damage."

(LM/MH)