Self-storage businesses across the Isle of Wight are taking a firm stand against crime by working together to stop criminals from using their facilities to hide counterfeit and illicit items.
Several local firms have signed up to Tick Box, a national scheme introduced to the Island in 2020. The scheme helps storage providers verify customers and keep dangerous or illegal products out of their units.
Local businesses leading the way
Among the Island-based businesses signed up to Tick Box are Barn Store, Cowes Movers, Isle of Wight Removals and Storage and InnerSpaces Self Storage.
These companies are committed to protecting both their customers and the wider community by reducing the risk of criminal exploitation of their services.
The appeal of easy rental and access can make self-storage sites attractive to those seeking to store illegal goods out of sight. But the dangers extend far beyond a few fake labels.
Counterfeit goods pose serious risks
Fake goods often bypass safety checks, putting the public at real risk. Items such as counterfeit batteries or unsafe electricals can cause fires or chemical leaks, threatening stored belongings and the lives of both staff and customers.
Dominic Hampson, Operations Manager at InnerSpaces in Cowes, said the scheme had helped the business sharpen its security and customer checks. He said,
“The scheme was very simple to implement and we were supported throughout.
“It has strengthened our approach to customer verification and reinforced the importance of vigilance across all stages, from inquiry to contract completion.”
Protecting trust and community safety
Mr Hampson highlighted the importance of maintaining trust built over many years with local customers. He said,
“Fake and illicit goods would undermine that relationship and damage our standing within the community and industry.
“At InnerSpaces, we are committed to ensuring that our facility remains a safe, law-abiding environment for all.”
He added that storing counterfeit items could trigger a “chain reaction of negative consequences,” including safety threats and wider societal harm.
Council backing for crime prevention scheme
James Potter, Trading Standards and Community Safety Manager for the Isle of Wight council, warned about the wider costs of counterfeit goods. He said,
“The appeal of cheaper goods may seem tempting, but counterfeit goods will be of a very poor quality and will not have gone through the same amount of rigorous testing as genuine products.”
He noted the wider economic and social harms caused by fake products, including links to organised crime and job losses in the UK. He added that being caught making or selling them could lead to imprisonment or unlimited fines.
Partnership approach to crime prevention
Tick Box is a free partnership between local Trading Standards, the Intellectual Property Office and the Self-Storage Association UK.
The scheme provides a voluntary code of practice for facilities to check customer identity and understand how the units will be used.
Potter welcomed the collaboration with Island businesses and said the council looked forward to building on this work.
For more details or to join the scheme, visit the Tick Box website.
