Liverpool City Council is asking people to help them crack down on illegal mobile ice cream traders this summer.

Mobile ice cream vans need a consent to trade within Liverpool and a number of conditions are attached to these consents to protect the public.

During the summer holidays unlicensed ice cream traders may be tempted to trade.  People can see if a trader has a consent to trade as there will be a yellow plate on the rear exterior of the vehicle showing that they are legitimate.

The council will act on any reports of rogue ice cream sellers and those who break the rules can be prosecuted or face a Licensing Committee.

Councillor Steve Munby, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said:

“Rogue ice cream sellers take trade away from legitimate businesses. They could also be unsafe as they may not have the correct food registration in place or have had food hygiene checks. Unlike our licensed traders, their backgrounds are not checked by the council.”

Anyone who has information about rogue ice cream sellers should email Liverpool City Council’s Licensing team atlicensing@liverpool.gov.uk or telephone 0151 233 3015 giving details of the vehicle registration number, location and time seen.