Croydon trading standards hands over 80 complaints of Covid price hike to CMA

The coronavirus lockdown has seen some shops in Croydon taking advantage of the high demand for goods.

One was found selling 100ml bottles of hand sanitiser for £12 while a four-pack of toilet paper was being sold for £16 at another.

Between March 23 and May 1 Croydon Council’s trading standards teams received more than 100 complaints.

More than 80 calls flagged up excessive price hikes at independent shops – reports are sent to a national body, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The council’s trading standards teams have also had to crack down on beauticians, barbers and furniture shops staying open in spite of the lockdown.

Overall, the council’s neighbourhood safety and environmental enforcement officers have carried out 82 visits to shops during lockdown.

Of these, 22 voluntarily closed up shop while 12 were forced to close through prohibition notices.

Most of the visits were to beauticians, barbers, hairdressers and furniture shops.

The council has also issued guidance to 22 cafés, restaurants and fast food shops serving takeaways to introduce social distancing measures and remove tables and chairs.

There were also a small number of reports of con artists selling fake Covid-19 tests on the door to door.

This is something that has also been reported to police in Croydon.

“There are tricksters out there who will con people into buying a Covid-19 test or someone will offer to do shopping for the elderly take the cash and never come back,” Superintendent Andy Brittain has told last month.

The council’s advice is to always check the identity of people trying to sell you something and not give away personal information including bank details.

A council spokesman said: “The council’s officers play an important role in protecting the public, and this includes during Covid-19 restrictions.

“Since lockdown, businesses in Croydon have generally complied with Covid-19 regulations, but we have taken action where needed and will continue to do so.”