Fight against booze scams wins award

Rochdale Council has been given a ‘Bronze Award’ for its efforts to prevent consumers being ripped off by counterfeit booze scams.

Working with the Police and HM Revenues & Customs the council’s Trading Standards Service has recently:

• Recovered 30,000 bottles of Tayzar Vodka, an illicit brand of vodka containing industrial methylated spirits 
• Recovered a large quantity of Kremlin Vodka, an illicit brand containing methanol, together with empty bottles, labels and bottle tops.

In the last few months, trading standards have started to investigate four pubs selling cheap booze in branded bottles. Several shops have been also warned for selling counterfeit Glen’s Vodka.

The Bronze Award was presented to the council by the International Federation of Spirits Producers whose members include the top name brands.

Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet member for the environment and sustainability, Councillor Wera Hobhouse said: “The trade in counterfeit booze is big business with customers all over the country being ripped off to the tune of £43 million a year. I’m extremely pleased that the council’s Trading Standards Service got this award. It’s recognition of the strenuous efforts we put into stamping out booze scams that not only rip off consumers but can also be a danger to their health.”