Action against rogue traders

Release Date:  22-May-2008

Trading Standards work with Police to close the door on rogue traders

Bristol City Council Trading Standards officers joined forces with Avon and Somerset Police to take part in yesterday’s national day of action against rogue traders.

 Rogue Traders prey on vulnerable people, targeting them in their own home and either conning them into having unnecessary work done, or overcharging them for shoddy or non-existent work. There is also a direct link between doorstep selling and distraction burglaries.

Yesterday Trading Standards officers, with Police colleagues, visited homes in Bristol where building and other home improvement work is taking place, and made checks on traders’ compliance with their legal obligations. Where work is undertaken as a result of a ‘cold call’ to a householder the trader must give a written notice of the householder’s cancellation rights, as well as the correct business name, details on business letters, and invoices.

 Other officers have been visiting banks with the police to advise bank staff on what to do if they suspect customers may be about to fall victim to rogue traders - if, for example, a customer withdraws large sums of cash within a period of a few days.

 The City Council has also provided 1000 ‘Scamwise’ booklets to the police for onward distribution to older people in Bristol. Bristol now has two official ‘no cold calling’ zones where doorstep selling is prohibited, in response to the concerns of local residents, particularly the elderly. Other zones are at the planning stage.

 Also this month the biggest change in consumer law in over two generations has taken place, with the introduction of The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations Act 2007. Officers will have new powers to deal with aggressive trade practices such as intimidation in the home, threatening or abusive behaviour, exploiting misfortune, persistence and undue influence. Bristol's Trading Standards team hopes that use of these powers will help to significantly reduce unfair trading of all sorts.

 Cllr Derek Pickup, Cabinet Member for Care, Tackling Deprivation and Crime, says,“Our aim is to create better neighbourhoods where everyone is alert to rogue trading, distraction burglaries and doorstep selling. This day of action highlights these issues, and sends a clear message that Bristol will not tolerate these cons and crimes which prey particularly on the elderly and vulnerable.”

 Anyone who turns away a suspicious caller should immediately call the police on 0845 456 7000. For more information on handling doorstep selling please contact Bristol Trading Standards Service on 0117 922 3604, or e-mail to trading.standards@bristol.gov.uk or visit our website at www.bristol.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Author:  Mark Nicholson

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