Don’t give rogue traders a chance
this summer
Rogue traders were targeted across
Worcestershire as part of a national day of action yesterday
(Wednesday 30 June 2010).
A multi-agency campaign to warn people about
the dangers of rogue trading and doorstep crime has seen nearly
1,500 police officers, trading standards officers and members of
government agencies join forces. The day of action forms part of a
week of activities that highlight the dangers of allowing strangers
into homes and consenting to have work carried out by cold callers,
the name given to people who visit addresses without prior
notice.
Last year’s Rogue Trader operation saw nearly
200 people arrested, £200,000 worth of property recovered, 1800
companies checked and over 10,500 vehicles inspected.
The day is being led by Operation Liberal, the
national distraction burglary intelligence unit and Trading
Standards. Every police force in the country is now a member
of Operation Liberal and contributes to a central database that
holds information about distraction burglars and rogue traders.
Rogue trading is a growing problem across the UK and there is
evidence to suggest that the majority of distraction burglars have
contact with each other and are associated with rogue traders.
Peter Holmes, Worcestershire County
Council's Principal Trading Standards Officer,
said:“Operation Rogue Trader will send out a strong
message to unscrupulous trades people, uninvited doorstep callers
and criminals who prey on vulnerable residents that we will not
tolerate them in Worcestershire. By joining forces with the police,
we can also help to reassure local people and educate them about
how they can protect themselves.
“We are also urging local people to report any
cases of rogue traders or uninvited doorstep callers to Consumer
Direct on 08454 04 05 06. Often, people can be embarrassed if they
have been duped by conmen, but we need them to be our eyes and ears
so we can use their information to crack down on these
criminals.”
Peter Goodman, Deputy Chief Constable
East Midlands, speaking on behalf of the Association of Chief
Police Officers, added: “Rogue traders prey on the elderly
and vulnerable, often conning them out of vast sums of money for
work that is substandard, unnecessary and overpriced. Dealing with
a rogue trader can have a seriously detrimental effect on a
victim’s health and confidence.
“Evidence suggests that distraction burglary
is linked to rogue trading. As distraction burglary offences have
decreased, rogue-trading offences have increased. Rogue traders
often travel vast distances across the country to commit offences,
highlighting why having a national capability such as Operation
Liberal is important."
Across the country police forces, Trading
Standards, Department of Work and Pensions, Environment Agency, HM
Revenues and Customs, the DVLA and VOSA, the Gangmasters
Association, the UK Borders Agency, Scambusters and the Marine
Management Organisation will work together to catch rogue traders
and to help prevent people from becoming victims of
crime.
Activities on the day range from executing
warrants to conducting intelligence-led patrols in areas where
older or vulnerable people live. Many police forces will make use
of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to identify the
vehicles used by criminals and unregistered traders.
It is not illegal for traders to sell at the
door and legitimate callers will not mind if you shut and lock the
door while you verify that they are genuine. Characteristically,
rogue traders will turn up unexpectedly and offer to do work like
gardening or fixing the roof for a minimal fee. Typically the work
will not be needed and the end result is often substandard and
costs significantly more than the original quote.
Trading Standards Institute’s chief
executive Ron Gainsford said: “Tackling rogue traders is a
big priority for trading standards and at TSI we have a very strong
policy of No means No; residents’ wishes against cold calling
should be respected whether they live in a No Cold Calling Zone, or
whether they just have a sign on their home clearly stating they
don’t want to be cold called.
“Beyond that, all consumers need to know of
the risks; unscrupulous rogues and distraction burglars can have a
devastating impact on peoples’ lives and their activities are often
linked to a vast network of crime.
“Partnership working is an integral part of
tackling the scourge of rogue traders – work that is carried out
relentlessly by numerous agencies throughout the year.
Initiatives like the Rogue Trader Day are an important opportunity
to raise awareness and to empower consumers to say no to cold
callers.”
