Trading Standards target doorstep crime during enforcement day

The day - part of Operation Fall - will involve partnership working with Thames Valley Police and District Councils via several patrol vehicles scouring known potential doorstep crime hot-spots.

It is part of the nationwide Operation Rogue Trader, where police and Trading Standards team up to target those who seek to con people on their doorsteps.

Oxfordshire Trading Standards have organised a number of separate days for Operation Fall to carry out work across the county, to catch those who prey on the elderly and vulnerable people.

In 2014/15 Oxfordshire Trading Standards received 377 complaints to do with doorstep crime, with residents paying out £430,475 to doorstep criminals. The team also saved a massive £220,366 by early intervention whilst the offenders were still at the victim’s address.

Targeted work

Martin Woodley, Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards Doorstep Crime Lead Officer, said: "Unfortunately we are seeing more and more traders who are crossing into the County of Oxfordshire purporting to look and appear like a legitimate company when they are actively involved in Doorstep Crime.

"These unscrupulous traders often prey on the elderly and vulnerable by using pressure tactics by way of telephone, cold calling at property or approaching them in the street to get the victims to part with substantial amounts of money in return for little or no work.

"We want to make it absolutely clear that Oxfordshire County Council, Local District Councils and Thames Valley Police will tackle and deal with those organised gangs or individuals that pray on the most elderly and vulnerable and are prepared to enforce and prosecute those who are breaking the law by trying to rip-off Oxfordshire residents."

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