Register to get free articles
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
Trading Standards officers and the Sheffield Assay Office have found legal breaches at 17 jewellery businesses across Grimsby and Cleethorpes during a joint enforcement operation.
The North East Lincolnshire Council team inspected 25 shops under Operation Breakwater.
Investigators examined gold chains, bracelets, and rings to verify if businesses complied with hallmarking and consumer protection laws.
The multi-agency team visited 14 shops in Grimsby and 11 in Cleethorpes, finding that only eight premises met all legal obligations.
Investigators found 10 businesses displaying unhallmarked items, eight failing to show official dealer notices, and two using inaccurate commercial scales.
Officers provided statutory advice to minor offenders, while firms with serious breaches face follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the Hallmarking Act 1973.
Information collected during the local checks will feed into a national intelligence initiative named Operation Tudor Rose.
Graham Mogg, Sheffield Assay Office representative, said: “Hallmarking of precious metals is the oldest form of consumer protection and it is vital that businesses selling gold, silver, platinum and palladium jewellery meet their legal obligations.
“The Hallmarking process provides independent verification of the purity, authenticity, and quality of precious metal items and it protects buyers from fraud. This is why SAO initiated Op Tudor Rose.
Mogg added: “The operation provides support for Trading Standards across the North of England and uses education and awareness visits to ensure legal compliance that will protect consumers and legitimate businesses. We are very grateful to NE Lincs Trading Standards for collaborating with us on this vital work, making the area safe for residents, tourists and the community as a whole.”
James Sawkins, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, concluded: “It is incredibly important to support our local businesses and the people buying these sorts of products.
“The work the Assay Office and our Trading Standards team have carried out has been essential in making sure this is the case. Always make sure what you’re buying is legitimate and if you believe something to be fraudulent, please contact the Trading Standards team – we can only make a difference if it is reported.”
