Rogue traders targeted

A vulnerable resident receiving crime prevention advice

Police and trading standards officers in Rochdale are targeting criminals who prey on older and vulnerable people by providing poor and over-priced building, path surfacing and landscaping work.

The crackdown is part of an ongoing drive to tackle illegal activity associated with unlicensed or unqualified rogue traders.

Superintendent John Graves of Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale Division said: “Rogue traders give honest, professional workers a bad name.

“They prey on vulnerable people, especially older residents, and can systematically rob them of their hard-earned life savings.

“We, along with our partners, are committed to bringing these callous thieves to justice and making them realise that they cannot operate outside the law with impunity.”

Staff from the Department of Work and Pensions, Environment Agency and HM Revenue and Customs are also taking part in enforcement activity.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology is being used to check vehicles being used by traders for breaches of road traffic legislation, and action will be taken against those operating illegally.

In addition, leaflets are being delivered to vulnerable residents advising them on how to deal with bogus callers and rogue traders.

Councillor Martin Burke, cabinet member for internal and environmental services at Rochdale Council, said: “We urge people not to deal with traders they don't know at the doorstep.

“If you need work doing, plan it carefully, get several quotes and check out references.

“Buying on impulse from cold callers could lead to you being targeted by other cold callers who get more and more ruthless in their approach."