Merseyside police has teamed up with partners to take part in the 12th year of Operation Rogue Trader to protect consumers from those who prey on our communities, especially the vulnerable and the elderly.

Rogue traders and forceful doorstep sellers are criminals who take advantage of householders by using high-pressure sales techniques, with the work carried out often being overly expensive, sub-standard and not required in the first place.



On Wednesday 10 May Merseyside joined a nationwide day of action led by the Police National Intelligence Unit.

Officers across the force, working with Trading Standards, Department for Work and Pensions, Environment Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, the DVLA and VOSA the UK Border Agency and other partners to carry out a series of crime prevention and law enforcement activities in Merseyside to catch those responsible for this type of crime and offer reassurance to local residents.

Activities on the day ranged from executing warrants, identifying vehicles used by criminals through automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to conducting intelligence-led patrols in areas where older or vulnerable people live.

Officers, working alongside staff from the DVLA and VOSA, have carried out roadside checks in every area of Merseyside targeting commercial vehicles.

On Monday the operation targeted Wirral, before moving on to Knowsley on Tuesday, Liverpool on Wednesday, St Helens on Thursday and Sefton on Friday.

Officers have also been out and about all over Merseyside speaking to vulnerable people about keeping their homes and belongings safe and also giving advice about people who cold call at residents’ homes.

The last Rogue Trader Operation in 2016 saw nearly 300 people arrested across the country, and nearly £3 Million worth of property recovered and over 5,000 vehicles inspected.

Chief Inspector Darren Wilson from Local Policing in Merseyside, said: "Along with our partners we are determined to root out and deal with distraction burglars, loan sharks and rogue traders who prey on the most vulnerable members of society and often leave a profound and lasting impact on their victims.

"Although victims are often left feeling embarrassed by this deception and reluctant to report incidents to police, I can assure them we will thoroughly investigate all reports.

"Elderly people, their relatives and friends should always be wary of callers to their address offering any kind of service, however official they may appear. Identification should always be asked for and produced and, if necessary, contact made with the company they claim to work for to verify identities."

Tim Day, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute lead officer for doorstep crime said: “Trading Standards Services throughout the UK continue to combat the crimes associated with cold calling home maintenance traders and professional doorstep fraudsters. We aim to take robust enforcement action to provide a meaningful sanction and deterrent and will, where possible, remove the criminal proceeds and return them to the victims."

There are a number of steps everyone can take to help prevent becoming victims to this type of crime and they include:*

*Do not open your door if you are unsure who the caller is.
*Always make sure you know who visitors are by asking to see their identification.
Never let people into your property if you don't know them.
Always keep the key chain on the door whilst talking to callers and always check their ID before letting them into your home. Genuine callers won't mind you doing this. If callers haven't got valid identification, don't let them in.
*Bogus callers often pretend to be someone official, for example, from a utility company or the water board.
They will also try to distract people by asking for a drink of water or if they can use the toilet. Remember "if in doubt, keep them out."*
Remember to close and lock the back door before you answer the front door. It's a good idea to have a viewer or spy hole and a stout chain fitted to all the external doors to the property.
Don't keep large quantities of cash at home. It's better in the bank where it's safe.
If someone asks for your help (for example, if they want to make a telephone call or claim to have lost a ball in your garden) always ask a friend or neighbour, or someone else you trust, for help.

Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of any doorstep offender or rogue trader should ring 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111