You and Yours

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Consumer

You and Yours: Parking enforcement, Teeth veneers, Romance fraud

05/08/2019

Parking enforcement, Teeth veneers, Romance fraud

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, Parking enforcement, Teeth veneers, Romance fraud

Heavy-handed parking enforcement, poor quality teeth veneers and romance fraud victims.

The council that mistakenly towed away and crushed a legally parked food trailer. When the quest for the perfect Hollywood smile goes wrong. A romance fraud victim speaks out.

Councils are being told to make sure they stick to the law when they tow away abandoned vehicles and crush them. The warning from the Local Government Ombudsman comes in a report today on a case in London where Barnet Council removed and destroyed a trailer. The Ombudsman says the council didn't follow the law, government guidance or its own policy. The owner of the trailer used it to sell food at street markets and events. He's now been out of business for more than a year. We hear what happened to him and also speak to Michael King, the Local Government Ombudsman. Barnet Council insists the removal was lawful but accepts it should have contacted the owner before destroying it.

The cosmetic dentist industry is booming because more of us want the perfect Hollywood smile. In a recent survey for Barclays Bank, 80% of dentists said celebrity culture is creating a demand for whitening and straightening teeth. Dentists can make a lot of money out of it - and some are advertising discount deals for veneers on Wowcher and Groupon. Our reporter Lydia Thomas speaks to a woman who had veneers fitted which then fell out. It cost her £5,000 to get them fixed. We also hear from Paul Abraham from the British Association of Cosmetic Dentistry.

We look at the growing crime of romance fraud and speak to a victim who took her case to court after being conned out of hundreds of thousands of pounds. The woman had been targeted by a gang who contacted her and others looking for love on dating sites. The woman believed she was in a relationship and was giving money to help a genuine partner. We hear how she got drawn and also speak to the detective who handled her case.

Presenter: Winifred Robinson
Producer: Tara Holmes

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

You and Yours

Parking enforcement, Teeth veneers, Romance fraud

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4