Illegal tattoos dangers spelled out

A HARD-HITTING poster campaign warning children of the dangers of illegal tattoos has been launched in Tameside.

It is unlawful for anyone under 18 to be given a tattoo, but in recent years an increasing number of unscrupulous tattooists have been willing to break the law.

There is no guarantee the equipment they use is safe and clean from killer diseases such as hepatitis, the blood disease septicaemia and the HIV virus.

The poster, which has the word `diseases' tattooed on a model's back, is intended to shock youngsters. It was launched at Mick's Skin Graphics in Market Street, Hyde.

Owner Mick Richmond, a tattooist for nearly 30 years, said anyone going to an illegal tattooist was putting their health at serious risk. He said: "There are a lot of people operating illegally across Greater Manchester. I get people coming to me all the time asking if I can correct a tattoo.

"I will not do it unless they have had all the health tests done and have the certificates to prove it.

"A tattoo we will do for, say £50 or £60, they will do for £5. The equipment they use is not sterilised or disposable and with that there is a risk.

"These people are giving all tattooists a bad name and the sooner all trading standards get together and put a stop to it the better."

Poster

Tameside council's environmental health investigators came up with the poster idea to stamp out the rise in unregistered tattooists.

Coun Catherine Piddington said: "I am not sure people are even aware it's illegal for an under-18 to have a tattoo, let alone the obvious dangers to your health if you have one done by an unregistered tattooist.

"Unless the tattooist is registered with the council you have absolutely no guarantees the equipment they're using has been cleaned since the last person or even that week.

"Thinking about it makes me shudder and leaves me wondering what's going through their heads while they're having it done.

"Conditions are normally unclean and dirty equipment is used.

"And of course, because they've been done illegally, you won't have the normal customer's rights."