NORTHWICH MP Mike Amesbury is backing a campaign to raise awareness about the online sale of dodgy electrical products.

The Weaver Vale MP was one of a number of politicians approached by the Electrical Safety First charity to support the campaign that is striving for tighter regulations online.

He said: “I support the campaign by the Electrical Safety First charity to strengthen regulation around the sale of electrical products through online marketplaces because of the potential dangers associated with substandard items.

“The House of Commons public accounts committee, chaired by my Labour colleague Dame Meg Hillier MP, recently published a report that found weaknesses in the UK’s overall product safety regulatory regime.

“The report warned of ‘important gaps in the regulatory framework’ including in regulators’ powers to effectively regulate goods sold online.

“And the committee said the consequences of unsafe products are ‘serious and not to be under-estimated’. One example referenced was the Grenfell Tower fire, responsible for the deaths of 72 people, as it started from a faulty fridge freezer.”

Northwich Guardian: The charity has discovered plenty of dangerous devices being sold onlineThe charity has discovered plenty of dangerous devices being sold online

A letter from the charity to back its online shopping campaign as it warns local residents remain at risk from highly dangerous electrical products sold online.

As more people continue to turn to online marketplaces in search of bargains the charity is warning local residents that they risk being duped by potentially dangerous gadgets.

A recent investigation uncovered a number of highly dangerous, faulty devices, purporting to save consumers money on their energy bills, being sold on the online marketplace eBay. These devices lacked basic safety components, with some even exploding during specialist testing.

Previous investigations found potentially lethal phone chargers, counterfeits, hair dryers and extension leads that pose a serious risk of electric shock, all being sold via online marketplaces.

Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First commented: “It is imperative that the UK government holds online marketplaces to the same standard as it holds High Street retailers.

“Gaps in the law allow for opportunistic merchants to take advantage of lax regulations.

“This is why we are calling on Mike Amesbury MP to ensure that the residents of Weaver Vale are given adequate protection from purchasing potentially harmful electrical goods on online marketplaces.”