A WARNING over unlicensed ice cream vans operating in the area has prompted scores of complaints.

Unlicensed ice cream vans operating across Berkshire might not be trading legally or have the necessary food hygiene standards in place, authorities have warned.

Vendors in West Berkshire, Wokingham and Bracknell are operating without a street trading consent according to the Public Protection Partnership (PPP) Licensing Teams which has had several complaints.

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It said it has been made aware of three vans operating by ‘announcing’ last minute their locations on Facebook groups such as ‘We Love Wokingham’ and ‘We Love Bracknell’ rather than using the more traditional method of ‘touring’ residential areas.

It said: “This is particularly worrying as we cannot be sure they are operating with the relevant food hygiene standards in place.”

PPP is asking members of the public to keep an eye out for vendors without a consent.

Where consent has been granted this should be clearly displayed on the vehicle and be visible to customers.

Councillor Hilary Cole (West Berkshire), Chair of the Joint Public Protection Committee said: “Following the Covid-19 shutdown we want to encourage local businesses but we ask that the public check Ice Cream vans have the proper consent to trade, and are displaying their street trading consent and food hygiene rating.

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“This is to ensure that the ice cream you and your children are consuming, is being prepared and stored safely and strict hygiene standards are being met.”

Traders granted a consent are routinely checked for food hygiene standards and adherence of their Street Trading Consent.

PPP have requested all the unlicensed traders to cease trading in our areas until they have applied for street trading consents.

They have failed to comply with this request.