Trading standards monthly news

Our news page will keep you up to date on our actions over the last six months.

February 2023

COVID-19 cure fraud conviction

Bishop Climate Wiseman was sentenced to a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years at the Inner London Crown Court. He had been convicted of fraud after a trial in December 2022. Between March 2020 and March 2021, whilst trading as Bishop Climate Ministries in Camberwell, SE5, he had made false representations concerning the ability of an oil mixture marketed individually as ‘Divine Cleansing Oil’, or as part of a ‘Divine Plague Prevention Kit’ to treat, prevent, protect against or cure COVID-19 (coronavirus). He must also undertake 130 hours unpaid work and pay prosecution costs of £60,072.50.

Junior Citizen event

The team participated in the annual Junior Citizen scheme educational event which is hosted over four weeks in the Old Kent Road Fire Station and organised by TFL. The scheme provides an opportunity for children in the last year of primary school to gain the skills necessary to prepare for a safer and more confident lifestyle. Interactive Workshops are led by agencies including Transport for London, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, Metropolitan Police and Southwark’s Trading Standards and Road Safety teams. Over 1,500 year six students visit over the course of the event with trading standards focussing on age restricted products and the dangers of buying fake unsafe goods.

Alcohol underage test purchasing

An underage sales test purchasing operation took place with 15-year-old volunteer police cadets. Six convenience shops in the SE1 area were checked with three attempts to buy alcohol being correctly refused. Three others made sales with no questions asked and follow up investigations are now in progress.

Counterfeit good seized

During an inspection at a shop in Camberwell SE5 some 1,700 counterfeit jewellery, accessory, footwear and clothing items were seized because they were believed to be counterfeit. All the goods bore the trademarks of designer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Versace, Chanel and Gucci. Local police assisted with the removal and transportation of the goods due to the quantities found.

Page last updated: 09 March 2023