Police crackdown on rogue traders and bogus callers who prey on elderly

POLICE and trading standards officials in Yorkshire have been targeting rogue traders and “doorstep criminals” in a nationwide crackdown.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Apr 2013, 10:08 BST

Officers in South Yorkshire and North Yorkshire carried out arrests and seized vehicles over three days this week in a bid to tackle all aspects of doorstep crime, including distraction burglars and bogus callers.

Rogue traders and doorstep sellers are thought to be using fraud to trick vulnerable people into paying for unnecessary or overpriced work to their homes.

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In South Yorkshire, there were 11 arrests, 17 vehicles seized, 66 fixed penalty notices issued and 384 vehicle stop checks carried out by 4pm yesterday.

Three men were arrested in Ripon by North Yorkshire Police on Monday on suspicion of a number of offences linked to work being carried out on residential properties in the area.

North Yorkshire County Council has also established two new cold calling zones, meaning anyone who calls unannounced could face prosecution.

Temporary Detective Superintendent Steve Smith of North Yorkshire Police said: “We are aware of the devastating effect this type of crime has on its victims and as such, North Yorkshire Police treat it as a top priority.”