Mobile tattoo and piercing businesses banned

Mobile tattoo and piercing businesses will not be allowed to operate under a new council policy.

The policy was agreed by North Devon Council after inquiries were received from businesses who wanted to provide tattooing, cosmetic piercing and other skin treatments from mobile units.

Businesses offering these services have been told they will can only operate from fixed premises which can be inspected and registered.

The council said the decision would make it easier to monitor hygiene and enforce public health standards.

According to The Local Democracy Reporting Service the council's policy follows independent legal advice which found legislation around this subject could be interpreted in different ways, which led some other authorities to allow mobile premises.

It said fixed premises gave practitioners and regulators greater control over infection prevention, hygiene and waste management.

The treatments could be invasive and carried a risk of blood-borne viruses and other infections if appropriate safety measures were not followed, the council said.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.