Unlicensed tattoo artist brought to book
In a decisive move to protect the community from unhygienic and unsafe tattoo practices, Rossendale Borough Council have successfully prosecuted an unlicensed tattoo artist operating within the borough.
Mr Steven Howarth, 34, of Crawshawbooth, was convicted at Burnley Magistrates court, and is facing a fine amounting to £1000, with an additional £400 allocated for the victim surcharge and £510 in costs (including £150 for legal expenses), totalling £1910.00.
Mr Haworth was advertising his services under the name of Inkflicted. Environmental Health and Public Protection Officers accompanied by Police visited the business premises in August 2023 where it was found that a number of unhygienic practices and breaches under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 had occurred.
Given the severity of the breaches, a Prohibition Notice was served but despite ongoing efforts to obtain compliance, the unregistered tattooing continued, and Mr Howarth was found guilty by Burnley Magistrates of carrying on the business of tattooing without being registered.
The successful prosecution is part of Rossendale Borough Council's ongoing commitment to raising awareness about the potential dangers associated with seeking tattoos from unlicensed and unregistered practitioners. The council aims to send a clear message to unregistered tattooists that they will take decisive action against those operating without the necessary licenses.
The convicted tattoo artist was served with a Prohibition Order under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 due to unhygienic practices. This order was issued while a comprehensive prosecution file was being prepared.
A council spokesperson from the Public Protection Unit, expressing the council's dedication to community safety, stated, “More people now opt to get tattoos and going to unregistered places
could lead to the risk of serious infections. Unregistered tattooists may operate in unhygienic conditions with poor quality equipment. If equipment isn't sterilised properly or strict hygiene requirements haven't been adhered to, there could be an increased risk to health
and a tattoo could result in scarring and/or infection.
“We will not tolerate unlicensed and unregistered tattoo practices that jeopardise the health and safety of our residents. This successful prosecution serves as a stern warning to those who operate outside the bounds of the law in our borough."
The Health and Care Bill proposes to introduce a nationwide (yearly) licensing scheme for all cosmetic procedures including tattooing and piercing. Working with public health partners the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health drafted and supported a key amendment to the Health and Care Bill, aimed at making the cosmetics industry safer in England and cases such as this support these proposals.
Rossendale Borough Council urges residents to be vigilant when choosing tattoo services and to ensure that practitioners are licensed and registered with the appropriate authorities. The council remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of its residents and will continue to take swift and firm action against any unlicensed tattoo operations.