Day of Action Targets Rogue Traders
Friday 15th June was Warwickshire’s latest ‘Day of Action’, a coordinated initiative designed to target doorstep rogue traders and distraction burglars.
Teams of Officers from a number of enforcement agencies used intelligence to target areas of Nuneaton, Rugby and Leamington Spa where it was thought doorstep crime was actively taking place, with the aim of catching perpetrators ‘at work’.
Builders, UPVC fitters, tarmac layers and gardeners were among those stopped and questioned, either at a consumer’s property or in transit on the road.
In situations where traders were approached whilst working on resident’s properties the owners were advised of the operation.
Doorstep criminals use a number of differing techniques, dependent upon the individual they are targeting. One day they may offer to tarmac your driveway, another they may claim to be from the water board to gain entry to your property and steal your purse or wallet. In addition they may also be trying to claim benefits they are not entitled to or illegally dumping their waste.
As a consequence Officers from a number of different enforcement agencies took part, working in teams across the county: Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service; Warwickshire Police; HM Revenue and Customs; The Department of Work and Pensions; The Environment Agency and District Council Housing Benefit Investigators and Fly Tipping Enforcement Officers.
In Nuneaton six businesses were approached. Trading Standards Officers identified one business names offence (where a trader fails to put their name or address on an invoice for example), and Housing Benefit Officers found an individual working whilst claiming the benefit.
In Rugby the Police made an arrest following the discovery of an individual with an outstanding warrant. One other Police offence was also discovered and one housing benefit offence. In total eleven businesses were approached.
In Leamington Spa a total of 20 businesses were approached. Department of Work and Pensions staff discovered three offences, the Police one offence, Trading Standards Officers one offence (business names), and the Environment Agency two offences. Three housing benefit offences and two potential fly tipping offences were also revealed.
Finally a Police automated number plate recognition team operating in the Rugby and Leamington area seized a total of eight vehicles.
Officers also spoke to a number of traders who were working perfectly legitimately.