We have engaged with people across the UK about what happens when public protections are too weak, or aren’t enforced properly. From unsafe food and dodgy builders to sewage polluting our rivers and seas, these stories show us what happens when the invisible safety net that holds together our society is eroded.
The UK’s regulators and local authorities do amazing work to enforce the law – looking out for our health, for our rights at work, for the safety of our families and for our natural environment. Public protectors from several local and national enforcement bodies give us their perspective on the work they do.
We have engaged with people across the UK about what happens when public protections are too weak, or aren’t enforced properly. From unsafe food and dodgy builders to sewage polluting our rivers and seas, these stories show us what happens when the invisible safety net that holds together our society is eroded.
The UK’s regulators and local authorities do amazing work to enforce the law – looking out for our health, for our rights at work, for the safety of our families and for our natural environment. Public protectors from several local and national enforcement bodies give us their perspective on the work they do.
- All stories
- Public Protectors
- Our Safety & Health
- What we eat
- Our environment
- Where we live
- Where we work
- What we buy
PUBLIC PROTECTORS: Una Kane, Environmental Health Manager
‘Asking residents to turn down their music, clear the rubbish from their garden – this is the stuff that can make life bearable or intolerable.”
PUBLIC PROTECTORS: Julie Barratt, incoming president of CIEH
“The public know what they want: safe food, clean air, good safe homes to live in, a clean environment with clean air and safe water.”
PUBLIC PROTECTORS: Matt Holford, Environmental Services Manager
“Public protection services such as mine will help fuel the recovery, not hinder it.”
LOUISE’S STORY
People breaking planning rules is having a huge effect on my community – and there are no consequences for those who do it.
PUBLIC PROTECTORS: Richard Williams, Senior Practitioner in Technical Services
“The work we do isn’t glamorous but it’s critical in making sure people have safe places to live for generations to come.”
PUBLIC PROTECTORS: Alison Farrar, CTSI Lead Officer
“If it wasn’t for our guys, none of these new designs of masks, visors, PPE or hand santitiser would be able to be released.”
PUBLIC PROTECTORS: Sandra Westacott, former Port Health Officer
“You have to know what to look for, and that comes with knowledge, experience and training. And you can’t get that without budget.”
PUBLIC PROTECTORS: Fiona Inston, Public Protection Manager
“We’re a really diverse and adaptable workforce, but a lot of what we do goes under the radar – I think we’re undervalued.”
PUBLIC PROTECTORS: Laurence Dettman, Chief Port Health Inspector
“We never know what could happen on any given day and I think most of us like it that way. We have to be able to react promptly to any situation.”
NADIM AND TANYA’S STORY
After our 15-year old daughter Natasha died after having a severe allergic reaction to a pre-packed sandwich we campaigned to bring about change.
