Crackdown on rogue traders

4:31pm Wednesday 21st May 2008

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ROGUE traders in Wiltshire have been the focus of a police operation today.

Operation Rogue Trader is a nationwide day of action to tackle the problem of dishonest workmen.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition equipment has been used on three of the county's major roads to alert officers to cars which are known to belong to rogue traders.

Officers have also stopped trade vehicles and checked the occupants are trading legally.

As well as these static checks there were a number of mobile patrols driving around the county and speaking to traders seen undertaking work on property to ensure they are trading legally and in accordance with all the legislation.

These patrols included both police officers and trading standards officers.

Rogue traders call unexpectedly and make dishonest claims about a house needing repairs or work which can be done cheaply because they have some materials spare.

They pressure people into accepting the work immediately and then do a job which is of a poor standard and of far less value than the sum paid.

In some cases rogue traders even take their victims to the bank to withdraw money to pay them with.

Detective Chief Inspector Jerry Dawson said: "Rogue traders cause a lot of misery to the people they take money from. They often prey on the elderly or vulnerable members of the community and scare them into agreeing to work by making false claims about the state of their homes.

"The anxiety and unnecessary distress caused by these individuals is unacceptable and we are determined to tackle this.

"Through this operation we want to send a clear message to rogue traders that they are not welcome in Wiltshire."

Anyone who has information on rogue trading or believes they have been a victim should contact Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000 or Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506.