There could be greater demand for officers with jobs in trading standards after a report calling for greater protection of consumer needs has been approved.
Dundee City Council has drawn up a plan to improve areas of food safety, noise nuisance and rogue traders in the area up until 2012, the Scotland Courier reported.
Head of environmental health and trading standards at the local authority Albert Oswald told the newspaper that being able to control the harm caused by illegal traders "is essential to protecting people in Dundee".
"Unsafe or contraband goods and unfair or illegal trading practices affect the deprived and vulnerable most," he added.
Mr Oswald stated that preventing people being subject to doorstep sellers and children being sold age-restricted goods such as alcohol or tobacco is a "priority" for the council.
Trading standards is also an important focus for Sefton Council after it revealed earlier this month that it will employ the Buy With Confidence scheme.
According to the Maghull & Aintree Star, trustworthy suppliers will be encouraged to sign up to a list to inform residents which firms are reliable.
Posted by Francesca Critchlow
