Crackdown on sellers and doorstep traders

Police will be working with colleagues from Lancashire’s Trading Standards, HM Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency (VOSA) to tackle criminals who victimise vulnerable people such as the elderly, by pressuring them into having unnecessary and poor standard work undertaken at their homes, charging extortionate fees for the work.

Warrants will be executed across Lancashire and officers will be visiting those believed to be involved in rogue trading.

Previous victims and those at a potential risk of being defrauded will be visited and given advice on how to avoid becoming affected.

Roadside checkpoints have been set up throughout the county, crime prevention presentations will also be hosted at community venues and leaflets will be handed out at building merchants to share safety messages.

Ch Insp Mike Adamson, said: “Rogue traders are criminals who take advantage of householders by using high-pressure, forceful sales techniques. The work is often expensive, sub-standard and not required at all.

“This kind of criminality is often linked to distraction burglaries.”