Warwickshire Trading Standards Welcomes Launch of Regional Scambusters Team
Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service has welcomed the launch of a new regional ‘Scambusters’ team, formed to investigate rip-off crimes, stop rogues and conmen in their tracks and protect vulnerable people throughout the region.
The ‘Scambusters’ team’s sights are set on stamping out rip-offs such as doorstep cons, large scale counterfeiting and high pressure sales tactics, using intelligence gathered by Warwickshire Trading Standards and other local authority trading standards services, Consumer Direct, police, other law enforcement agencies and local communities.
Mark Ryder, Head of Warwickshire Trading Standards Service said:
‘We very much welcome the creation of a regional scambusters team and look forward to working with them to crack down on rogue traders thus enabling us to better protect Warwickshire consumers, especially the more vulnerable members of our community.’
The team, which will comprise of three investigators and a police officer seconded from West Midlands Police will aim to bring offenders before the courts to face criminal charges and seek Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and Enforcement Orders to stop them targeting vulnerable people. The team will also investigate offender’s financial affairs and seek to seize any money or assets they have acquired through their crimes.
Consumers wishing to report scams can do so by phoning Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or by visiting our website.