Unregistered tattoo operation run by girl, 16, is shut down in East Cleveland, Brotton

Believed to be first time legislation has been used to shut down unregistered tattooist in region and council officers warn more orders could follow.

Some of the equipment that was seized by Redcar and Cleveland Council officials in connection with a probe into a 16-year-old girl tattooist Some of the equipment that was seized by Redcar and Cleveland Council officials in connection with a probe into a 16-year-old girl tattooist

A teenage tattooist believed to have been making money from both young people and adults without being registered has been shut down.

The 16-year-old girl admitted operating from a number of domestic properties following an investigation by Redcar and Cleveland Council and Cleveland Police.

Magistrates earlier issued an order allowing council environmental health officers to seize tattooing equipment under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act.

It is believed this is the first time the legislation has been used to shut down an unregistered tattooist in the region and council officers warn more orders could follow.

The teenager complied with the order - which instructed her to hand over the equipment from a house in the Brotton area and remove two social media pages promoting her services - and is unlikely to face prosecution.

Steven Goldswain, Cabinet member for community safety, said: “We are satisfied this individual was giving tattoos to adults and youngsters from as little as £10. She did not have the proper equipment or expertise to do so safely and hygienically, and we had no option other than to shut down the operation.

“We know there are other unregistered tattooists operating in the borough and we hope this serves as a warning to them.”

Council officers were alerted after receiving complaints from the public.

After scrutinising two social media accounts, it became clear the girl was willing to tattoo young people and adults. On one account she advises a 15-year-old boy about getting a tattoo.

After police traced an address, council officers seized four tattoo guns, more than 40 needles and about 50 small pots of ink on Thursday.

The tattooist was traced to a second address where it appeared she had been giving tattoos to people in unhygienic conditions in a kitchen.

It is believed needles were used only once but some packs were out of date. Equipment was being crudely sterilised and there was no proper record keeping.


Article from the Gazette Live.
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/unregistered-tattoo-operation-run-girl-5821348