Dudley Trading Standards Honoured with National Award

Posted 15/12/25

Dudley Trading Standards have won the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Outstanding Trading Standards Project Award at the CTSI Hero Awards, held on 2 December in the House of Lords.

The Outstanding Trading Standards Project Award recognises excellent examples of effective and well-delivered initiatives and projects that are led by, or involve, Trading Standards.

Dudley Trading Standards delivered Operation Clearance, an ambitious project aiming to remove all organised crime group run businesses from the borough by 2026.

Between August 2024 and September 2025, they closed 39 shops through joint work with the Police and local landlords, which is believed to be the highest total achieved by any authority. Their work has secured prosecutions of a criminal network, with sentences totalling more than 12 years. They have reduced the number of organised crime group operated shops in Dudley, with many premises now either permanently closed or reopened legitimately.

CTSI Chief Executive, John Herriman, said: "I am delighted to see Dudley Trading Standards recognised for the incredibly successful Operation Clearance. Dudley Trading Standards has secured excellent results for their community and has helped to disrupt organised crime in Dudley. Their tenacity and impressive outcomes have set a fantastic example of how organised criminality on our high streets can be disrupted.”

Laura Reuben, Public Protection Manager at Dudley Council said:

“I am delighted that Dudley Trading Standards has been recognised nationally for the outstanding work they have done in this field. The award is deserving of the ongoing commitment demonstrated by the team.”

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