Superintendent works with trading standards to bring down illegal substances

Posted 02/07/15

Superintendent Lee Russell received a Certificate of Commendation at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's Conference in Bournemouth on Thursday 2 July for the significant contribution he made to consumer protection in Kent.

Lee Russell has been the Kent Police lead for the partnership which exists between Kent Police and Kent County Council trading standards for over 15 years. He has established an effective partnership between trading standards and other key authorities, delivering strong consumer protection strategies and reductions in illegal substances.

Mr Russell was instrumental in development of The Kent Community Alcohol Partnership (KCAP), led by trading standards, bringing together a wide range of public service and commercial partners with a view to change attitudes of alcohol use amongst young people. This affiliation has brought about significant reductions in alcohol related anti-social behaviour in many Kent communities.

Lee has worked tirelessly with trading standards to deal with the issue of new psychoactive substances in Kent, these substances were linked to at least three deaths in the county and numerous other serious incidents. Kent Police and trading standards officers from Kent County Council and Medway Council visited 22 shops in the area and removed thousands of the illegal products from the market using the General Product Safety Regulations.

CTSI chief executive Leon Livermore said: 'Working relationships between trading standards and partners are fundamental part of the effective support given to consumers and members. Heroes like Lee play a vital role in helping trading standards officers protect vulnerable members of the community.

“I am delighted to have presented Lee with a CTSI Hero Award, giving him well deserved national recognition for his long term commitment to the Profession and to public protection in Kent.”

The Hero Award is a fantastic opportunity for CTSI to celebrate outstanding contributions by individuals or groups of people to consumer protection in our communities.

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