Dorset County Council 1 Feb 2008

Caught in a Flash.

An internet test purchase by officers of the Dorset County Council Trading Standards Service has resulted in a trader from Oxford pleading guilty to supplying cans of “Safe Plate Anti Flash Protection Spray” for more than £23

An investigation by Dorset County Council Trading Standards Service found that the spray – which claimed to render number plates unreadable by speed cameras – simply didn’t work.

Oxford Scientific Development Ltd of Wallingford, Oxford were convicted at Wimborne Magistrates Court on 25 January 2008 under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and fined £1,300 with £700 costs.

The court heard that, a trading standards officer had purchased a can from an internet site. This can’s label and supporting information made extravagant claims about the product’s ability to defeat speed cameras. He arranged tests with the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, who tested the spray on a police vehicle that was driven past both a mobile and fixed site Gatsometer safety camera. They found that the number plate was fully legible when photographed by the camera in each instance.

David Pollard, a director of the company told the court that they had developed the product from an existing one that he believed had been properly tested. He would now destroy all existing stock and the company had ceased trading.

Paul Carter Divisional Trading Standards Manager for Dorset County Council said,

“ Although this product has been found to be ineffective we are still concerned by the potential danger, that motorists who have bought it may ignore speed limits in the belief they will not be caught. They will be caught and we would urge anyone who has used this product to stick to the speed limit. We are pleased with the outcome and that the product will be removed from the market.

On behalf of the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, Johnny Stephens, Head of Fixed Penalties said,

“We were pleased to work with Trading Standards and provide the evidence that helped secure this positive outcome. We would like to remind all road users that safety cameras are placed in areas with a history of fatal and serious collisions, so they are there for a very good reason. For the safety of everyone it is important to keep within the speed limits and drive to the conditions on the road.”