Today sees the introduction of a scores on the doors-style rating system for tattooists across Kent.

The voluntary scheme is intended to combat rogue and amateur tattooists who are leaving people with potentially dangerous infections.

The unqualified operators, known as “scratchers”, buy equipment online and can leave their victims in pain or even needing hospital treatment.

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The scheme will score tattooists and "semi-permanent make-up artists" in a similar way to food hygiene ratings.

After premises have been inspected, they will be given a rating of one to four.

One is the lowest score, two is satisfactory and three and four are good and very good respectively. They will be able to display a certificate to prove their accreditation.

“You wouldn’t go to a backstreet dentist, so you shouldn’t do the same with tattoos. People think that they are going to save £50 and end up in A&E” - Tattooist Chris Bloomfield

Chris Bloomfield, owner of Medway Tattoo and Piercing Centre in High Street, Rochester and Tattoo Medway Ltd in High Street, Gillingham, was consulted on the plans and is fully supportive of the move to drive up hygiene standards.

But he feared it would not tackle one blight on the industry – the untrained amateurs using discounted equipment bought on the internet.

He often gets people coming into his shops who have got work done at “tattoo parties” and have later suffered painful and unsightly infections. He said: “They really should spend money prosecuting these people and trying to stop them.”

He also said: “You wouldn’t go to a backstreet dentist, so you shouldn’t do the same with tattoos. People think that they are going to save £50 and end up in A&E.”

He has owned his shops for 15 years and helped set up the Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union to introduce standards and qualifications for tattooists to protect them and the public. He has also created a Code of Practice for hygienic skin piercing.

While broadly welcoming the hygiene scheme, he feared it could be too draconian. “One of the problems is that, if something small is wrong, say a coffee cup isn’t where it’s supposed to be, something small, they mark you down, even if you say it is a mistake.

Video: A hygiene rating system for tattooists is being introduced

“That black mark stays there until you get inspected the next year. If it is a serious flaw it should stay there,” he said.

A Medway council spokesman said: “A particular concern lies with unregistered practitioners who operate illegally from their home kitchen or bedroom.

“The aim of the scheme is to make the public aware of the risks of skin piercing, promote consumer choice and protect public health, whilst showcasing those businesses who operate to a high standard of hygiene.

“We have a number of tattooists and semi permanent skin colouring artists in Medway and anticipate a good reception from the industry, particularly as the scheme is supported by the Tattoo and Piercing Institute Union.”

Medway Council will be sending out letters from Monday asking businesses if they are interested in signing up.

They will then have a hygiene inspection.

The scheme is in response to concerns about the transmission of infections, especially Hepatitis B and HIV, which can be contracted from unhygienic procedures.

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