Police officers and the council have been out working together on the streets to combat rogue trading in the Wigan area.
Rogue trading refers to using untrained or unqualified labour to provide little or shoddy work at inflated prices, usually with little regard for health and safety. Experience shows rogue traders are also likely to steal from their victims and be responsible for bogus caller type offences i.e. pretending to pose as companies such as the water board and encouraging people to invite them in to their home.
Officers carried out road policing checks to identify any vehicles suspected of being used for illegal trading. During checks three contractor vehicles were seized and 11 fixed penalty notices were issued for road traffic offences. One person was arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol.
Health and safety executives, housing benefit officers and uniform police staff visited 26 contractor and traders at residential premises where building work was taking place to check safety standards were being met. As a result, a building site has been temporarily closed.
Trading Standard officers and PCSOs were also at ASDA in Leigh providing advice about doorstep crime and raising awareness about rogue trading.
Inspector Mark Chadderton from Greater Manchester Police’s Wigan Division said: “Rogue traders give honest, professional workers a bad name and are a menace to society. They prey on vulnerable people, especially older residents, and can systematically rob them of their hard-earned life savings.
“Tools and equipment used by these criminals tend to be badly maintained and are often found to be dangerous or stolen. Motor vehicles used by them are often untaxed, uninsured and without a valid MOT.
“We along with the council remain committed to raising awareness of doorstep crime in the community. We will continue to bring these callous thieves to justice, making them realise that operating outside the law is not acceptable – they will be caught.”
Wigan Council’s Chief Trading Standards Officer, Julie Middlehurst, commented:
"Rogue traders will often turn-up unannounced and offer to do work at your home, but what they’re really after is your hard earned cash, whereas genuine traders are unlikely to call on the off-chance that you want work doing. So, always keep them out until you are sure they are who they say they are.
“We advise consumers to shop around and try to get three quotes for any intended ‘big’ jobs or purchases so that they are getting the best possible deal. Also, consumers are advised not to sign-up for a product immediately, but speak to a relative or friend beforehand to get their advice".
For information and advice on consumer related issues you can call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 (calls charged at local rate).
To report illegal activity call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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