Police, Trading Standards, DVSA, UK Border Force and HMRC officers across the Dyfed Powys area have been taking part in the nationwide Operation Rogue Trader.

They have targeted rogue traders and forceful doorstep sellers in a national day of action, which took place on Wednesday, September 30. The multi-agency team has also highlighted the risk of using cold callers to vulnerable members of the community.

Activities on the day ranged from identifying vehicles used by criminals through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to conducting intelligence-led patrols in areas where older or vulnerable people live.

Throughout the week the multi-agency team covering the Dyfed Powys area made five arrests, identified 26 offences and stop checked 291 vehicles. To help prevent people falling victim to rogue traders, Neighbourhood Policing Teams attended community events, visited 250 households and distributed 800 rogue trader crime prevention leaflets.

Rogue traders often offer gardening work or maintenance services at attractive rates, but the quality of work is substandard, unnecessary or overpriced. They often use persuasive sales techniques to encourage people into making hasty decisions.

Chief Inspector Ross Evans said: “Distraction crimes and scams conning people of their life savings for unnecessary and overpriced work have a detrimental effect on the victim’s health and their confidence.

“Intelligence sharing and joint initiatives between trading standards and the police will continue and there is no place to hide for criminals engaged in doorstep crime.”

This is the 10th anniversary of organisations across the UK taking part in Operation Rogue Trader. The campaign is led by Operation Liberal, a national intelligence unit that links associated crimes and gathers intelligence on known criminals and organised crime groups who travel extensively throughout the UK.

Police officers and local authorities’ trading standards officers have worked with the Department of Work and Pensions, Environment Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, the DVLA, the DVSA, the UK Border Agency and Scambusters to catch rogue traders and to prevent innocent people from becoming victims of crime.

Crime Prevention Advice

• Not Sure? Don’t Open the Door!

• Check the identity of the doorstep caller by telephoning the company they are purporting to be from. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider.

• Check whether traders are members of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme or the Government Trust Mark scheme.

• Discuss any work you feel needs carrying out on your property with a relative or friend who can help you find a reputable trader

• Don’t agree to any work or sign anything on the spot. Do not be pressured into having any work carried out.

• Never pay cash up front and never go to the bank or cash point with a trader.

• If you suspect a rogue trader is at your door then call 999.

Useful Contacts

Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of any doorstep offender or rogue trader should contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you think a rogue trader is at the door, call the police on 999

Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06, to speak to a Welsh speaking adviser call 03454 04 05 05.