North Wales Police joining forces to target rogue traders

Jan 28 2009 by Justine Bailey, Denbigh Visitor

NORTH Wales Police and Trading Standards from the six local authorities across the force have launched a joint protocol for dealing with rogue traders and distraction burglars.

The launch took place at the force communications centre in St Asaph last Tuesday where the protocol, which has been led by the Community Safety Partnership in Flintshire and Wrexham, outlines new working arrangements ensuring that all reports of rogue traders and distraction burglars are investigated jointly between North Wales Police and Trading Standards from the moment they are first reported.

Inspector Paul Firth from the Eastern Division’s Community Safety and Cohesion Department said: “The message we want to put out is that we are taking this problem seriously.

“This type of crime is typically targeted at older and vulnerable people, often those who live alone.”

Joint working between the police and Trading Standards is not new and this protocol follows on from research into the links between rogue traders and serious crime.

Inspector Jason Higgins from the force control room attended a joint training session on the way potential victims are identified and targeted by criminals.

He said: “I was personally quite shocked to learn how systematically elderly vulnerable people living alone are targeted by bogus officials and workmen.

“It was also disturbing to learn that this type of crime is grossly under-reported.”

Inspector Firth explained: “Because this happens in the home, all too often the victims feel that they have been ‘taken in’ by the bogus caller and are reluctant to tell anyone, even their close relatives.

“An important part of today is to reassure everyone that they are ‘in control’ in their home and not to allow anyone through the door that they are not completely happy with..”

Anyone wishing to report suspicious behaviour is urged to contact North Wales Police on 0845 607 1001 (Welsh line) or 0845 607 1002 (English line).