0:00:02 > 0:00:04From waste and recycling
0:00:04 > 0:00:08to pest control and trading standards,
0:00:08 > 0:00:12the taxes that we pay to our local councils are used to provide
0:00:12 > 0:00:15many of our most essential services.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18I like people who are keen to recycle.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21In this series, we follow the front-line staff working
0:00:21 > 0:00:24behind the walls of Tameside Town Hall in Greater Manchester.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Like council officers across the country,
0:00:28 > 0:00:33these local heroes are waging war on those blighting our communities.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Oi, oi! Excuse me! Excuse me, love! You can't do that!
0:00:36 > 0:00:39They're protecting us from hidden dangers...
0:00:39 > 0:00:41The business owner has got a duty
0:00:41 > 0:00:44to make sure that he is protecting his business and the people
0:00:44 > 0:00:46that are coming in to buy food from his business.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49..making sure our cash is spent on those who need it most...
0:00:49 > 0:00:53I am at a loose end. I do not know where to turn.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57..and responding to their residents when they call the council.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Coming up...officers get stuck into a meaty issue, after residents
0:01:06 > 0:01:10call the council to complain about their neighbour's garden.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13I can go and get a warrant. We'll be back in 15 minutes.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16The dog warden responds to a call about a stray
0:01:16 > 0:01:19- causing havoc on the streets... - Sit down. Sit down.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Absolutely wet through, aren't you?
0:01:22 > 0:01:26And officers work through the night to rid the country's roads
0:01:26 > 0:01:28of potentially lethal taxis.
0:01:38 > 0:01:44The UK's 433 local councils are the backbone of our nation.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Providing essential services like waste management,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49trading standards and health inspections,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52over two million local authority employees work hard
0:01:52 > 0:01:56to keep our communities clean and safe, and us free from harm.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Good morning, Tameside Council. Can I help?
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Right, I will try the line to Environmental Services. Bear with me one moment.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06East of Manchester, Tameside Council's aim is to support
0:02:06 > 0:02:08and enhance the lives of its residents
0:02:08 > 0:02:12and resolve any problems they face when they call the council.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17And sometimes those problems can be very close to home.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22It can be anything to do with noise, smells, odours...
0:02:22 > 0:02:26just really something that happens between neighbours
0:02:26 > 0:02:30and they can't resolve that between them so they'll contact us.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Every year, millions of us in the UK complain about our neighbours.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Latest statistics reveal that one in 20 of us
0:02:38 > 0:02:42were forced to move home due to a neighbourhood dispute.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45The most common issues are boundary disputes, excessive noise
0:02:45 > 0:02:47and stolen car parking spaces.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54But eight residents in this quiet suburban street have called
0:02:54 > 0:02:57the council to complain about something out of the ordinary.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03They say that every day for the past week,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06they've been confronted by the sight of raw pork ribs,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09chicken and duck carcasses strung up for all to see.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Today they were hung up on the washing line.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15They hang 'em out of the bedroom windows
0:03:15 > 0:03:17and they also hang 'em under the car canopy.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19It's not a nice sight to have,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22especially when there's kids next door.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24I couldn't understand what they were.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27I thought they were some kind of piping bags, you know,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29if you've been icing a cake.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33I won't be... I will be a little bit afraid, you know,
0:03:33 > 0:03:37terrified to find I had rats or any kind of vermin.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44It's just...unbelievable.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46If people are walking their dogs now,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48walking up and down this street,
0:03:48 > 0:03:53people stop and they stare at them ducks and it's upset everybody.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57I hope the council come along and stop them doing it.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02The cuts of meat appear to be being air-dried and cured for use
0:04:02 > 0:04:06in Chinese cookery, but they pose a serious risk to public health.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11They encourage pests and vermin, which carry diseases
0:04:11 > 0:04:14such as salmonella and leptospirosis
0:04:14 > 0:04:16that can be fatal to humans.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22But it's also illegal to run a food business from home
0:04:22 > 0:04:25without registering it with the council,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28who are responsible for inspecting its hygiene regime.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Today, council officers Bev Hursthouse and Khush Ahmed
0:04:31 > 0:04:33are on their way to investigate.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Shall we see if there's anything we can see round the back?
0:04:39 > 0:04:40Oh, there we go. OK.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45After seven years working for the council,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Bev thought she'd seen it all.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50First time the sight greeted me was just...
0:04:50 > 0:04:53not really sure what was going on, really.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58And then you thoughts turned to, "Hang on, where has this meat been?
0:04:58 > 0:04:59"Where has it come from?"
0:04:59 > 0:05:03And then you sort of look at, "Where's it going?"
0:05:03 > 0:05:08Bev and Khush's job is to remove any risk to public health and discover
0:05:08 > 0:05:11whether this resident is running a food business from his home.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14This is our guy here now.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Hello. Are you all right? Mr Zhang?
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Can we just have a chat with you?
0:05:22 > 0:05:24We need to have a chat with you about a couple of complaints
0:05:24 > 0:05:26that we've received.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32if you can explain to me why are they there?
0:05:45 > 0:05:48OK, so basically, you're curing that product, then, aren't you?
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Mr Zhang claims that he's simply curing the meat according to
0:05:56 > 0:06:00a Chinese recipe and that it's purely for his own use.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03There is no evidence to suggest he's not telling the truth,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06but the food should be protected from pests and vermin,
0:06:06 > 0:06:07not left out unguarded.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11There may be some problem with pests in this area.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15You've got rats, obviously, you've got bird problems,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17you've got problems with maybe foxes.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19In that particular area
0:06:19 > 0:06:23there is quite a lot of rodent activity already.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26You know, back of the house sort of backs onto a field
0:06:26 > 0:06:29and there are some sort of residential properties
0:06:29 > 0:06:33that are being treated for, you know, pest problems anyway.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38If we could agree, maybe consider putting it in your shed
0:06:38 > 0:06:42or keeping it in your house and then everybody's happy.
0:06:42 > 0:06:43How does that sound?
0:06:43 > 0:06:45I understand what you're doing ...
0:06:45 > 0:06:50- I will do it.- So I'm not going to get any more calls? No more calls?
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Nobody is going to phone me and say, "Bev, there is
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- "still meat on the line?"- Don't worry.- Will that be from today?- Yes.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- Perfect. OK. - Thank you very much.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01And you've got my number if you need to give me a ring?
0:07:01 > 0:07:03- Yes. OK.- Thanks very much. Thank you for your time. Thank you.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07With Mr Zhang agreeing to remove the meat from his garden,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Khush and Bev have achieved part of their mission...
0:07:10 > 0:07:13but they still aren't sure why he's curing so much meat.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Coming up - the meat returns and tempers fray...
0:07:20 > 0:07:22I could go and get a warrant. We'll be back in 15 minutes.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25But will the officers find any evidence to prove
0:07:25 > 0:07:28that an unregistered food business is in operation?
0:07:34 > 0:07:36The nation's Council Officers
0:07:36 > 0:07:39aren't just responsible for helping residents with two legs.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42They also deal with the four-legged variety.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Today, worried residents called the council to report
0:07:48 > 0:07:51a runaway dog that's frightening members of the public
0:07:51 > 0:07:55and in danger of causing a serious road traffic accident.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57It's a job for council animal warden Ian Millett.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01My job, it's public protection against animals
0:08:01 > 0:08:03and protecting the public.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06That's the difference between my job and, say, an RSPCA inspector.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10I'm protecting the public, they're protecting the animal.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15Last year, over 100,000 stray dogs were reported in the UK.
0:08:15 > 0:08:1970% of them were caught by council dog wardens like Ian Millett
0:08:19 > 0:08:23who, for the past 25 years, has been one of the many local heroes
0:08:23 > 0:08:27nationwide putting their bodies on the line for the people they serve.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31I got called out one Friday afternoon.
0:08:32 > 0:08:39It was to go down to a house and they had a Rottweiler in the back.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43I open the gate and I was trying to open it just a little.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46The dog just charged through this gap.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48It just turned on me and it hit me on my side.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52It's took a piece out of my side. It's took a piece out my backside.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54It took a piece out of the back of my thigh
0:08:54 > 0:08:56and I thought "I'm going to die."
0:08:56 > 0:08:59This woman was really brave enough...she went to my van and
0:08:59 > 0:09:05managed to get one of my graspers, which is that pole with the hoop.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09So I managed to get it on that and I walked it about 50 yards to get it
0:09:09 > 0:09:12in my van, locked the door, and I just collapsed on the pavement.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17Then I spent the next 12 months, on and off, in hospital.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Skin grafts and injuries and things.
0:09:21 > 0:09:22Bit of a mess.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Despite his terrifying ordeal, Ian continues the fight
0:09:28 > 0:09:32to keep residents safe, and today is no different.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Just had a call from Tameside call centre and we've had a report
0:09:35 > 0:09:39of a cross Alsatian-type dog running around there
0:09:39 > 0:09:43so I'm just driving now to have a look.
0:09:43 > 0:09:44There it is.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Let's have a look.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51What we've got to be careful of now is we're actually on a main road.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55What we don't want to do is to scare the dog into the road
0:09:55 > 0:09:57and cause an accident or something like that
0:09:57 > 0:10:00so we have to tread a bit carefully
0:10:00 > 0:10:02until we see how the dog is going to react,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05so it has got to be a bit slowly-slowly from here.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Despite Ian's caution,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14the dog immediately darts towards the oncoming traffic.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Everybody still imagines dog wardens
0:10:21 > 0:10:24with big nets, running around the streets catching them.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Hiya! Sit down.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Sit down for me. Sit down.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37All you're doing when you're going up to a dog is you're assessing it.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41DOG BARKS
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Watching its ears, watching how it's shaping its body.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45Sit down.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50He was a little bit slow then.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55You've got to try and make that dog trust you.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56Sit down!
0:10:56 > 0:10:58'Then you can catch him.'
0:10:58 > 0:11:01DOG YELPS
0:11:08 > 0:11:10DOG SQUEALS
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Calm down. Calm down. Calm down.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Calm down. Calm down.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Absolutely wet through, aren't you?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Good girl.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Good lad.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27Thanks to Ian's patience, skill and bravery, the dog is safe,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29but most importantly, so is the public.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32I know you're scared, but we have to calm down.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34'A lot of people are frightened of dogs.'
0:11:34 > 0:11:37If somebody lets a dog out, they're actually frightening somebody,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40so you don't know when you go out there if it's a daft call
0:11:40 > 0:11:43or whatever, that person could be frightened.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45They're entitled to walk the streets without being frightened,
0:11:45 > 0:11:47so you have to go and do your best for them.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51Come on up with me. Come on, then. Jump! Jump! Good lad.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Good lad, aren't you? Eh?
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Ian's next task is to try to find the owner.
0:11:57 > 0:11:58Just looking for a chip.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Microchips are not yet compulsory,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06but new laws being brought in from 2016
0:12:06 > 0:12:09mean that owners will have to ensure
0:12:09 > 0:12:11their dogs are fitted with an identity chip.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14"No ID found." There's no microchip,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17so no collar and disc, so we don't know the owner.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22There's nothing wrong with it enough to go to a vet's to get checked out,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24so now it'll be going down to Manchester Dogs' Home.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27I know, you're wet through, aren't you? Eh?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30This dog will now have food and shelter,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33but more importantly, it's no longer a danger to the public.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45But it's not just four-legged pests
0:12:45 > 0:12:49that are causing local residents to call the council.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Across town, Eileen Moss is being tormented by wasps
0:12:52 > 0:12:55who've developed a passion for her favourite tree.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58It was about a fortnight ago. We'd come back from York.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00We'd been for a week,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03and my daughter informed me there were wasps round my tree.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05I thought there were only two or three at the time,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09but there are loads of them, and I don't like wasps.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11They're not nice, and there are children around.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Pest control officer Brian Whelan and trainee Geoff Dale
0:13:16 > 0:13:19are responding to Eileen's call for help.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Just in case these go mad, do you want to just stand in there?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Yeah.- I don't want you getting stung, fella.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30The wasp is a social insect
0:13:30 > 0:13:34and as many as 5,000 can inhabit just one nest.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Wasps are generally not aggressive
0:13:36 > 0:13:38unless they or their nests are threatened.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43I'm having a look in the bush.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45I think what they're doing
0:13:45 > 0:13:48is they're pollinating on all this sort of stuff.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52If Brian can find the nest, he can get rid of Eileen's problem.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57As you can see, there's not a lot of room to work with.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01After nearly 20 years in the job,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Brian's used to putting his body on the line.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Yes, I've been stung once or twice.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12It isn't pleasant, but I suppose it's the perils of the job.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16But there's one pest that Brian is less used to dealing with.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- It's like when you treat a nest... - We've got to take a picture.
0:14:20 > 0:14:21What for?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- What for? - My daughter, at school.- Eh?
0:14:26 > 0:14:28She wants a beekeeper.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31I'm going to do another one, Brian, just to make sure I've got it right.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- Here y'are, mate. - Make sure you've got me good side.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37There's no wasps' nest, they're just pollinating.
0:14:37 > 0:14:38If there was a nest in here,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41obviously they'd go for you and attack you,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44but there's no nest in here.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46After a thorough check,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Brian's sure that there isn't a nest in Eileen's tree.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51No.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Which means that the wasps must be living elsewhere.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Reassured that there's no immediate danger,
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Eileen simply needs to be patient
0:15:00 > 0:15:02and hope the weather takes a turn for the worse.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06There's nothing he can do about it. He's done his best.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08I've lived long enough to know there's no use,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11just do what one can do and wait for them to go
0:15:11 > 0:15:15and take sensible precautions and hope they never come back.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21If, like Eileen, you want to avoid being stung in your garden,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24remove anything sweet that might be attracting wasps,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27build or buy your own trap with a sweet concoction inside it,
0:15:27 > 0:15:29or you could call your council.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41As part of their ongoing battle to keep the public safe,
0:15:41 > 0:15:46the UK's local authorities and council officers like John Gregory
0:15:46 > 0:15:49are responsible for granting licenses for a wide range
0:15:49 > 0:15:52of controlled activities and businesses.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56The primary reason for local authorities being involved
0:15:56 > 0:15:59in licensing any kind of business is to protect public safety.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02We license gambling establishments, we license tattooists,
0:16:02 > 0:16:04we license scrap metal dealers.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06All of those have an element in them that there's
0:16:06 > 0:16:08a requirement for us to regulate them.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Because we deal with that stuff that sort of falls
0:16:10 > 0:16:13just below the level of seriousness for the police,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16but still has quite a serious impact on public safety.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22One key area that local councils are responsible for licensing
0:16:22 > 0:16:24is the taxi business.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27It's a massive industry, worth £9 billion and growing.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32There are over 230,000 licensed taxis
0:16:32 > 0:16:35and private hire vehicles in the country.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37To keep their licence, owners must ensure
0:16:37 > 0:16:39that their vehicles are safe for passengers.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43If they don't, the council will remove their licence.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Tonight, licensing officer Dave Smith is working alongside
0:16:47 > 0:16:50the police on a sting operation to ensure local taxis
0:16:50 > 0:16:54and private hire vehicles pose no danger to the public.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58It's just down here where you tend to find a few.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02'We run taxi spot-check evenings. The aim of the evening is'
0:17:02 > 0:17:06to officially make sure the vehicle is safe,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08it's roadworthy and, secondly,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11make sure that the people driving them are licensed to do so.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Taxis and private hire vehicles
0:17:15 > 0:17:18must conform to stringent safety criteria.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21April, April. It's all right, it's just been tested.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24When a member of the public steps into a licensed cab,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27they deserve to be in a properly maintained vehicle
0:17:27 > 0:17:30that will deliver them safely to their destination.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Operations like this, you tend to find it's going to be
0:17:34 > 0:17:37your older vehicles that are going to fail the tests,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40simply because they have been out longer, obviously,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43and more wear and tear on them, really.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46The law allows the council to test taxis every year
0:17:46 > 0:17:50until they're three years old, and every six months after that.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Once a vehicle is ten years old and it fails the test,
0:17:53 > 0:17:55the council can refuse to re-licence it
0:17:55 > 0:17:58and the owner must find a replacement.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59Let's have him.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Dave has spotted a taxi that's nearly ten years old
0:18:02 > 0:18:05and wants to see if it's safe enough to carry passengers.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08They're out there all day every day, some of these vehicles,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11some operate even through the night, they are constantly on the go.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Hi, pal. How you doing?
0:18:13 > 0:18:15David Smith from licensing. You all right?
0:18:15 > 0:18:17It's a matter, really, of just pulling them in
0:18:17 > 0:18:19one after the other, checking out the vehicle
0:18:19 > 0:18:21and checking out the driver.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23We're out with the police tonight, OK?
0:18:23 > 0:18:24We're doing a spot-check operation.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27I'm just going to ask you to take your vehicle down to Tame Street.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30We'll just give it a quick check. We'll follow you down.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Dave sends the ageing grey Nissan to the council's garage,
0:18:35 > 0:18:39where it and all cars stopped tonight will be subjected
0:18:39 > 0:18:42to a test much tougher than a standard MOT.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Brakes, steering and seat belts will all be checked
0:18:45 > 0:18:49and no vehicle is allowed to have any second-hand parts fitted.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52If it's found to be a danger to the public,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55the vehicle will be pulled off the road.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58This is a vital service keeping residents safe,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02but the spot-checks aren't popular with all the borough's taxi drivers.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07I think spot-checks are OK, but not weekend. Not when it's busy time.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09There's a lot of nights drivers here.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12If they come out on a Friday night and take me off the road,
0:19:12 > 0:19:16there goes my rent on the bus. I don't think it's fair at times.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19It's best doing it weekdays when it's quiet,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22not the peak times, and let us get on with our work.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27With 600 taxis and private hire vehicles working in Tameside,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Dave's having a busy night.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- That one as well?- Yeah, go for it.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Its exhaust seems to be wobbling about a bit.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Bit of a flappy plate, as well, by the looks of it.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- Has it got a fare?- No, there's no fare in there that I can see.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44Hi, pal, how you doing?
0:19:44 > 0:19:47Licensing. We're doing a spot-check operation tonight.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Want to go up to Tame Street for us and we'll meet you down there?
0:19:50 > 0:19:52All right, pal. We'll follow you.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58My concern is really the safety of the vehicle,
0:19:58 > 0:20:00and I like to think, you know, if it was my family or friends
0:20:00 > 0:20:03that are getting into the vehicle, that they're safe in that vehicle.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08While Dave escorts the taxis,
0:20:08 > 0:20:12council staff at the garage prepare to inspect the incoming vehicles.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16Licensing boss John Gregory is in charge of the operation.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18We're there to make sure that
0:20:18 > 0:20:21the drivers don't have serious convictions, that the vehicles
0:20:21 > 0:20:23are in a safe, reasonably clean condition.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28This Mondeo's exhaust is causing concern for Dave.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30Now it's up to the staff at the garage to check
0:20:30 > 0:20:32if it's fit to be on the road.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37So this was last tested December, this one.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39OK, do you want to back it up?
0:20:39 > 0:20:42While his colleagues get cracking with their inspections,
0:20:42 > 0:20:46dad-of-two Dave is feeling the strain of working through the night
0:20:46 > 0:20:48to keep the public safe.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Pretty tired now, to be honest with you.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54My little baby's keeping me awake, and a day's work today
0:20:54 > 0:20:57and then coming on and doing this tonight
0:20:57 > 0:20:59is a bit...a bit tired. I'm flagging.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Got a few hours of it yet, I think, as well, haven't we?
0:21:03 > 0:21:05But Dave's doing a vital job.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08It turns out that the Mondeo he's just brought in
0:21:08 > 0:21:10is putting the public in danger.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14That is actual brake fluid, which has a very distinctive smell.
0:21:15 > 0:21:16It's leaking brake fluid.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21Any form of brake fluid leak at all, it's extremely dangerous.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26Brake calliper on his rear offside is either fractured or broken,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30but it's leaking brake fluid out, going all over the brakes,
0:21:30 > 0:21:34so his rear right-hand brakes won't be working effectively.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37So it's not roadworthy. It's coming off, plates off.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42This potentially lethal taxi is no longer a threat to the public.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45The officers' hard work has already paid off.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47But there's a long night ahead.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Working Fridays, working Saturdays, it's not greatly appealing.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55I must admit I would much rather be in the pub with a beer.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58My job is making sure that the public is safe,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01and that is our way of contributing to that.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Coming up, the council officers
0:22:06 > 0:22:09discover a potential deathtrap on the roads.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14It's a fumes risk. It's a fire risk. It's not good at all.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Across the country, our local councils' call centres
0:22:22 > 0:22:24deal with thousands of enquiries every week.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Good afternoon, Tameside Council, Karen speaking.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31But while the council impacts on our lives from cradle to grave,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33there are some instances where it's not the council
0:22:33 > 0:22:35residents should be calling.
0:22:35 > 0:22:36When your water doesn't work,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39who would you ring? Would you ring your council?
0:22:39 > 0:22:40No.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Just bear with me a second and I'll put you through to that team.
0:22:43 > 0:22:48I did have a guy report that some youths had been putting dog...
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- Faeces.- Faeces through his letterbox
0:22:51 > 0:22:54and he wanted the council to replace his carpet!
0:22:56 > 0:22:59We're not going to replace your carpet!
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Back on the streets, the council's tireless licensing officers
0:23:09 > 0:23:12are working into the night, taking dangerous taxis
0:23:12 > 0:23:15and private hire vehicles off the road.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18They've already managed to identify a number of vehicles
0:23:18 > 0:23:20that could be posing a danger to the public.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Let's have him.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25These have been hauled in for a thorough check-up.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28That is actual brake fluid. It's leaking brake fluid.
0:23:28 > 0:23:29It's extremely dangerous.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Head of licensing John Gregory is running the operation.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Members of the public pay to drive in these vehicles.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42It's our job as a licensing authority to make sure
0:23:42 > 0:23:44that those vehicles are safe.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47There's three black cabs coming in here, so we'll line them up here.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Enforcing the council's stringent licensing laws requires
0:23:50 > 0:23:54a mixture of legal know-how and strong people skills.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57- Major engine oil link and the fuel tank's leaking.- Fuel tank's leaking?
0:23:57 > 0:24:00That will cost you a bob or two over time, won't it, that?
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Fuel tank leaking.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04I have sympathy towards people running businesses.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06The cost of running a vehicle has gone through the roof.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09The cost of fuel has pretty much doubled in the last ten years,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11hasn't it? It is difficult to make a living.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13You understand why people cut corners
0:24:13 > 0:24:16and why they might choose to run with that bald tyre,
0:24:16 > 0:24:18because they think they might get away with it,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21but from my perspective, I'm not here to protect those drivers.
0:24:21 > 0:24:22We're here to protect the public.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25He wasn't happy. We're not here to make people happy.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28That doesn't sound good, does it? But we're here to make sure
0:24:28 > 0:24:31that the vehicles are safe and that people are carried safely.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34But it's not always bad news.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37The nine-year-old Nissan that Dave was concerned about
0:24:37 > 0:24:39has passed its test.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43It seems to be quite well maintained, this one, to be honest.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45The driver is free to go back to work
0:24:45 > 0:24:47in the knowledge his passengers will be safe.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50All right, so we'll not bother you again tonight.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55- Stay away from us!- Thanks a lot.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58But enforcing council regulations
0:24:58 > 0:25:02doesn't always win these committed public servants many friends.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04And the night isn't about to get any easier.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07The next vehicle to come onto John's radar is a minibus
0:25:07 > 0:25:11belonging to Jed Avery. He is not having a good night.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14It's, what, ten o'clock. I've had my first puker already.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17All straight down the window.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20You've got to have a certain amount of patience, haven't you, really?
0:25:20 > 0:25:22To pick up the drunks on a Friday, Saturday night.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Both Jed and John are concerned with the side of the van,
0:25:26 > 0:25:27but for very different reasons.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30We have some quite tight controls about what signage is
0:25:30 > 0:25:33allowed on a vehicle, so we would normally on a private hire vehicle,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36only allow a sign that is about, that would fit
0:25:36 > 0:25:39on the front door of the vehicle, so this chap, if you look at the
0:25:39 > 0:25:42signwriting on this vehicle, it is right down the whole side of it.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Adverts on the side of vehicles are strictly controlled.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Prohibiting advertising and political slogans
0:25:51 > 0:25:55ensures a uniform and identifiable fleet of private hire vehicles.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59That way, residents can be sure their taxi
0:25:59 > 0:26:02is sanctioned by the council and, most importantly, safe.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Has anybody seen it before you put it on?
0:26:05 > 0:26:09The only inspector I saw said, as long as it's not on the windows.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11No, that's not, I don't know who's told you that,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14but it's not right, that. I'm not going to do anything tonight.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17I'm not going to make you start picking it off with a razor blade.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20- However... - It cost me £275 quid for each bus.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23It has to be approved by one of the licensing officers.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26It's a bitter pill for Jed to swallow.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28This simple mistake will cost him a lot of money.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Roughly it's about £200 per bus,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35and they're not something you can put on and take off
0:26:35 > 0:26:39and put on and take off. They're proper signage.
0:26:39 > 0:26:45As an unhappy Jed heads home, the council's unsung heroes work on.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49As the team continues their inspections,
0:26:49 > 0:26:53they discover one private hire vehicle that's over ten years old
0:26:53 > 0:26:55and has a serious problem.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58The owner, Mohammed Gaffar, had been collecting fares all night
0:26:58 > 0:27:01until he was pulled in by the council.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04There's oil all the way down to the back of the car.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06You've got the drive shaft boot on.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08And you've got a really bad oil leak.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10It's actually dripping pools of oil onto the floor,
0:27:10 > 0:27:14and the oil is going all the way to the back of the car, it's that bad.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17You must know that you are dripping oil like that. It's a fumes risk.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20It's a fire risk. It's not good at all.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25This vehicle would present a serious risk to the public
0:27:25 > 0:27:28if John were to allow Mohammed to continue working,
0:27:28 > 0:27:33so the plates are removed and the private hire licence is suspended.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37What I would say to you is, don't do any work on it
0:27:37 > 0:27:39until you've spoken to us on Monday,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42because if you spend the money and have the work done and we decide
0:27:42 > 0:27:45that we're not going to re-license it, that money's wasted.
0:27:45 > 0:27:46It's getting to that point where
0:27:46 > 0:27:48you're going to have to replace this soon.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52You can only keep it on until it's 12 years old anyway.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55John now needs to check the car's test history.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57If it's poor, when John and Mohammed next meet,
0:27:57 > 0:28:01the vehicle's licence could be removed permanently.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04At some point, you've got to accept that the vehicle needs replacing.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07It's like taking an old dog to the vet and having it put down.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09They do get attached to them.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13For these local heroes, it's been a successful night.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17We've had 18 vehicles in, five failed
0:28:17 > 0:28:20and had their plates taken off for various bits and pieces.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Another seven had some minor faults.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25They've got to go away and get sorted.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28So overall, it's about a 30% fail rate.
0:28:28 > 0:28:29It's a bit disappointing,
0:28:29 > 0:28:33but a lot better than we've had in the past, to be honest.
0:28:34 > 0:28:35With five cars off the road
0:28:35 > 0:28:39and several more forced to carry out essential repairs,
0:28:39 > 0:28:41the licensing team's job is done
0:28:41 > 0:28:45and the borough's taxi-using residents can travel without fear.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01Back on the beat, officers Bev Hursthouse and Khush Ahmed
0:29:01 > 0:29:03are on their way to Mr Zhang's,
0:29:03 > 0:29:07the resident who hung meat carcasses all around his property.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10Mr Zhang told the officers that he'd remove the meat from his garden,
0:29:10 > 0:29:14but Khush and Bev are responding to renewed calls to the council.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17I'm making a revisit to this property.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19We've had a number of calls again to let us know that the chicken
0:29:19 > 0:29:22and ribs have been hung back outside again.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26I'd have hoped that on our first making it clear to the gentleman
0:29:26 > 0:29:29that actually, we've had quite a number of complaints here,
0:29:29 > 0:29:34you've got to live in this road, and the last thing,
0:29:34 > 0:29:37really, that you'd want to do, is upset your neighbours.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40The food that was hanging in the back yard was a health risk
0:29:40 > 0:29:43to the public because it could attract pests and vermin.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46But the officers also received reports of Mr Zhang
0:29:46 > 0:29:50leaving his house with large bags full of food.
0:29:50 > 0:29:51We're getting a couple of reports
0:29:51 > 0:29:55that people have seen him looking like he's loading his car up
0:29:55 > 0:30:00with takeaway-style items and what it could be, he's making deliveries.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03To run a food business from home, a lot of people do do that.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Cupcake businesses are through the roof at the moment.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09That seems to be this year's trend.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12No, it's not illegal, but what you need to be doing
0:30:12 > 0:30:15before you consider running a food business from home,
0:30:15 > 0:30:1928 days before you plan to open, register your food business.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21It doesn't cost anything to register.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25But if the officers discover Mr Zhang is running
0:30:25 > 0:30:27an unregistered business from his home
0:30:27 > 0:30:31and is not complying with health and safety regulations,
0:30:31 > 0:30:35he could be prosecuted, fined and even face up to two years in prison.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Hello? Hello?
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Is there any hung on the line today?
0:30:45 > 0:30:48No, there's nothing on today.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50The meat has gone from the garden,
0:30:50 > 0:30:53but has appeared hanging in the windows.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56But Bev's eye is drawn towards the garden shed.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00If you look there in his shed, you can see there, can't you,
0:31:00 > 0:31:02it looks like takeaway, doesn't it?
0:31:02 > 0:31:04Yeah. This is getting silly now, isn't it?
0:31:08 > 0:31:11The curtains have just moved, so there is somebody in.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15History in itself is sort of indicating that
0:31:15 > 0:31:17that is the relatives of the gentlemen,
0:31:17 > 0:31:21and I do think they have very limited English.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25Mr Zhang denies operating a food business,
0:31:25 > 0:31:26but there's no sign of him,
0:31:26 > 0:31:30and whoever is inside isn't answering the door.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34Bev and Khush adopt a new strategy to try and meet Mr Zhang in person.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37What I think we'll do is pull the car to the end of the road
0:31:37 > 0:31:39and hang around for half an hour or so.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41Just see if he comes back.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Give it 20 minutes, half an hour.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53Sure enough, within five minutes the tactic pays off.
0:31:58 > 0:31:59Let's have a look.
0:32:02 > 0:32:03Hi, Mr Zhang, we've met before.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05Bev Hursthouse, my colleague Khush.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07We need to come in and have a chat.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10We feel that you may be operating a food business from here.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Two options will be, we can come in now and have a chat with you.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16A chat. A talk.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22When I ask you some questions...
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Let me speak to you.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28No, listen to me. Listen to me.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31When he got a bit confrontational,
0:32:31 > 0:32:35it was kind of needing to bring him back down
0:32:35 > 0:32:38and talk reasonably with him.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Mr Zhang, before you get angry and aggressive,
0:32:41 > 0:32:43once you do this...
0:32:47 > 0:32:49Because I need you to answer some questions for me,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52which can be done quite straightforward.
0:32:52 > 0:32:58This was the issue with this chap that, in his mind,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01I think he thought he wasn't doing anything wrong.
0:33:01 > 0:33:02A man's home is his castle,
0:33:02 > 0:33:07but if your actions cause a nuisance,
0:33:07 > 0:33:11if they cause concern to the others, you're bound to get complaints.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14We could either come in and have a chat, yes?
0:33:14 > 0:33:17Nobody else needs to get involved, no other third parties need to
0:33:17 > 0:33:20get involved, the police don't need to get involved.
0:33:20 > 0:33:21All you need to do at this stage,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24all you need to do is prove to me it's not a food business.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27I can go and get a warrant and we'll be back in 15 minutes.
0:33:29 > 0:33:35I would much rather provide somebody with advice any day, over the
0:33:35 > 0:33:40only option that's left is sort of heading towards the courts, really.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42If there's an imminent risk to the public,
0:33:42 > 0:33:45then that's the only option. See you shortly.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47- All right, I'll see you in a bit, then.- All right, cheers.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51With this, Khush sets off to collect a warrant
0:33:51 > 0:33:53from the magistrate's court.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Coming up, will these dogged council officers
0:33:56 > 0:33:59find any evidence of an unregistered food business?
0:33:59 > 0:34:01We're just going round and round in circles here.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13In the licensing department, officers John Gregory and Dave Smith
0:34:13 > 0:34:15are preparing to meet Mohammed Gaffar,
0:34:15 > 0:34:17owner of the silver taxi
0:34:17 > 0:34:20that was putting passengers' safety at serious risk.
0:34:20 > 0:34:21You've got a really bad oil leak.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24It's actually dripping pools of oil onto the floor. And the oil
0:34:24 > 0:34:26is going all the way to the back of the car, it's that bad.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29The officers have reviewed the vehicle's test history
0:34:29 > 0:34:31and now have a difficult decision to make.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35In the interests of public safety, they can keep the car off the road.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38But that could take away Mohammed's livelihood.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42You know, I've got four kids, so I don't know what to do.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46I'm completely lost.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48- How you doing? All right? - Not bad, thank you.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51I've had a look at the history. It's not good, really.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54If it was just that CV boot on its own, and it had always passed its
0:34:54 > 0:34:57tests with no issues or with only very minor issues, then occasionally
0:34:57 > 0:35:01we might just give the benefit of the doubt under those circumstances.
0:35:01 > 0:35:02In this case, that's not the case.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07Your vehicle hasn't passed the test for the last 18 months.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09It's always had to go away and be repaired.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11This engine oil leak has been a persistent problem
0:35:11 > 0:35:14certainly over the last six months, looking at this.
0:35:14 > 0:35:15Last six months, yes.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Can't just keep allowing you to patch them up, so in this case,
0:35:18 > 0:35:21our decision is we're not going to let you relicense that vehicle.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24- You're going to have to get a replacement vehicle.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30To get a new car is quite expensive,
0:35:30 > 0:35:35so if I say I will make a request for another one year,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38and I can guarantee I am going to change my...
0:35:38 > 0:35:41It's not going to happen, I'm afraid.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43You're going to have to replace that vehicle.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- So we can't have another six months?- No.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50No, I'm not going to let that vehicle back on again.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53It's well below the standard that we expect.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56If it's not six months, at least another three months
0:35:56 > 0:35:58- so I can earn some...- No.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02That vehicle isn't going to be relicensed again.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05You make your living from it. I know the situation you're in,
0:36:05 > 0:36:09- but I've got to think about public safety.- Definitely, yeah.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11I've got to draw the line somewhere,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13and unfortunately in this case, we've drawn the line
0:36:13 > 0:36:16with your vehicle, and you're going to have to replace it, I'm afraid.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21- All right.- All right.- OK. That's fine.- OK, then.
0:36:21 > 0:36:22Thanks for coming in.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26'At the moment, I got no option. I have to scrap that car,'
0:36:26 > 0:36:28so I have decided with my family,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31I'm going to go to sign on as a job-seeker.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35I think in that situation, I won't be able to afford it,
0:36:35 > 0:36:42because the car and the fees, the MOT, insurance, it's a nightmare.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47It's their living. The vehicle helps them make their living.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50If we take the vehicle off them, they're not earning,
0:36:50 > 0:36:52and that's a difficult position to put anybody in.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54We appreciate that, but we've got to see past that.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56We've always got to think about public safety,
0:36:56 > 0:37:00and that is the whole reason for licensing drivers and vehicles,
0:37:00 > 0:37:03is to protect public safety, and that's what we are here for.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07It's the end of a successful operation for John and Dave.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10And despite saying he'd need to claim benefits,
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Mohammed bought a new safer vehicle a few days later,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16keeping his job and the people of the borough moving.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28Across town, council officers have been kept busy
0:37:28 > 0:37:31by the resident suspected to be running a food business from home,
0:37:31 > 0:37:33allegations he denies.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35The police don't need to get involved.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Prove to me it's not a food business.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40It's late in the day, but Khush and Bev,
0:37:40 > 0:37:41accompanied by colleague Simon Ashton,
0:37:41 > 0:37:45have obtained a warrant to enter the home of Mr Zhang.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50This is the warrant to enter your property. That's your copy there.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54That basically means that we can come into your property
0:37:54 > 0:37:56to investigate what we spoke about earlier on.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Mandarin Chinese, please.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04We're just phoning the interpreter.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Mr Zhang has requested a Mandarin interpreter,
0:38:08 > 0:38:11a service which Bev is able to access over the phone.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18The council officers are now able to enter Mr Zhang's shed.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Previously, Bev spotted what appeared to be
0:38:20 > 0:38:24takeaway-style containers in here, possible evidence
0:38:24 > 0:38:27that he's been running a food business from home.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Although now out of sight of the window,
0:38:29 > 0:38:31the containers are still there.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35Mr Zhang provides an explanation, speaking through his interpreter.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40- INTERPRETER:- 'I just told you that I need to pack lunch.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45'Those containers are for me to pack lunch.'
0:38:45 > 0:38:47OK, thank you.
0:38:47 > 0:38:48When we went into the shed,
0:38:48 > 0:38:52we did see packs and boxes of food containers.
0:38:52 > 0:38:57Again, the individual stated that they were for his own use.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02As darkness falls, negotiations to find a resolution
0:39:02 > 0:39:06to the case of the dangling meat continue behind closed doors.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11The best way to resolve this would be if he could agree
0:39:11 > 0:39:14at this time, just to keep the chicken and the ribs indoors
0:39:14 > 0:39:16and not on display where it can be seen,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19that will then stop any further complaints.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23- INTERPRETER:- 'I will promise
0:39:23 > 0:39:26'that I will not take the food outside any more,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29'but probably next year, around the same time,
0:39:29 > 0:39:35'I will do the same preparation, hang the food in the garage.'
0:39:35 > 0:39:40Mr Zhang offers to add a set of doors to his car port
0:39:40 > 0:39:43to create an area where he can hang his meat out of reach of vermin
0:39:43 > 0:39:46and out of sight of his neighbours.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Unfortunately, this solution creates another problem.
0:39:49 > 0:39:54If you build a structure in here and it blocks out that window there,
0:39:54 > 0:39:56and then a building control officer comes down,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59then you've got a building control officer visiting the property
0:39:59 > 0:40:01and wanting to speak you.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04The gentleman just wasn't really seeing any issues
0:40:04 > 0:40:07from any neighbouring properties.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09He was talking about building a car port,
0:40:09 > 0:40:11and that's where he's going to hang it.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Well, that just blocks out all of the light of the property
0:40:14 > 0:40:17next door, and you're try to explain to him, that he needs
0:40:17 > 0:40:21to consider everybody, really, apart from just himself.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25It was quite difficult to get that one across, really.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33It's now nine hours since the officers first arrived,
0:40:33 > 0:40:36and with so much time already spent on this case,
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Khush decides to draw proceedings to a close.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43You contact building control. You contact them.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48You contact them yourself. You ask them what you need to do here.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52- Yeah.- It's not us. YOU contact them. OK?
0:40:52 > 0:40:55We're going to have to leave this at some stage.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58We're just going round and round in circles.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00- I don't want to talk to you. - That's fine.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04- We're going round in circles.- I only talk to this lady.- That's fine.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07'I think he expected us to do everything,'
0:41:07 > 0:41:11and that is why I... not took offence to it,
0:41:11 > 0:41:16but took the attitude that it's his responsibility,
0:41:16 > 0:41:20he's the one that, if he's doing that process, he's got to
0:41:20 > 0:41:25take the responsibility of making sure what he can and cannot do.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29It's a difficult conclusion to a testing day.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31There's still no conclusive evidence
0:41:31 > 0:41:33that Mr Zhang is operating a business,
0:41:33 > 0:41:35but these hard-working council heroes
0:41:35 > 0:41:38have ensured he keeps his food indoors
0:41:38 > 0:41:40and out of reach of pests and vermin.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45The meat's gone from outside at the moment
0:41:45 > 0:41:49and I do believe that the process is nearing an end,
0:41:49 > 0:41:53so hopefully the meat should be gone from the window soon as well.
0:41:53 > 0:41:54We'll see how it goes.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58And thanks to the efforts of Bev and Khush,
0:41:58 > 0:42:02the neighbours are safe and have a meat-free view once more.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06The neighbours I've spoke to are all happy,
0:42:06 > 0:42:07because the ducks have gone.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11The council came down straightaway and the council sorted it out.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16They got the job done of getting the stuff off the line,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19which was our biggest gripe.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21It was a sight to behold.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27Once again, dedicated council officers across the country
0:42:27 > 0:42:29have been battling on behalf of us, the public.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31They're keeping our roads safe...
0:42:31 > 0:42:34It's a fumes risk. It's a fire risk.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36..our neighbourhoods happy...
0:42:36 > 0:42:40Let me speak to you. No, no, listen to me. Listen to me.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44..and they've looked after all their residents,
0:42:44 > 0:42:46even the four-legged ones.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49I know, you're wet through, aren't you? Eh?
0:42:49 > 0:42:52All of this, when we call the council.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56It's good to know the area, it's good to know that
0:42:56 > 0:42:58actually what you're doing, the support you're giving
0:42:58 > 0:43:00and the assistance that you give
0:43:00 > 0:43:04is benefitting the area that I live as well.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Yeah, that's built in with the job.