Major operation targets rogue traders

ROGUE traders and forceful doorstep sellers have been targeted during a week of action by police and partner organisations across Cheshire.
Police, working with colleagues from a number of agencies took part in  Operation Rogue Trader – a week-long crime prevention initiative to target those who profit unscrupulously from the elderly and vulnerable.
Officers from Trading Standards, the Department of Work and Pensions, the Environment Agency and HM Revenue and Customs joined police to carry out enforcement activity and provide reassurance to the local community.
Inspector Ian Stead, who co-ordinated the operation in Cheshire, said: “Rogue trading refers to the practice of deliberately overcharging for unsatisfactory goods and services.
“This includes charging of unnecessary work, damaging property deliberately in order to obtain money, leaving work unfinished and intimidating behaviour in order to extort money.
“Doorstep crime will not be tolerated. This kind of activity is despicable and strikes at the very heart of local communities as those involved tend to target and exploit the most vulnerable in society.
“This operation reflects how seriously police and partners take this type of crime and reinforces the message that we are committed to working closely together to do everything we possibly can to put a stop to it.
“We want to make it as difficult as possible for these types of criminals to operate in Cheshire – we are not an easy target and want to get the message across loud and clear that Cheshire is not a place for these kinds of people to do business.”
Officers patrolled hotspot areas checking that those plying their trade were genuine craftsmen. Vehicles were stopped using through automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), which uses a special system to read number plates and identify vehicles and occupants.
Officers also visited areas previously targeted by rogue tradesmen to offer reassurance to local people.
Some 105 vehicles were stop checked, four vehicles were seized for no insurance, one vehicle was seized for no licence and three vehicles were seized for no tax.
One man was arrested on warrant on behalf of the courts.
Anyone who sees rogue traders operating should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.