SBC Trading Standards team busy on National Rogue Trader Day

Operation Liberal is a joint campaign involving police, council trading standards officers and members of other Government agencies and aims to highlight the dangers of cold callers and the perils of allowing strangers into your home.

Last year's operation saw nearly 200 people arrested, £200,000 worth of property recovered, 1,800 companies checked and more than 10,500 vehicles inspected

The day aims to make people aware of the dangers of rogue traders and alert them to the obvious signs to look out for and how to avoid them. Many distraction burglaries are linked with rogue traders making it even more important to combat them.

Rogue traders generally prey on the elderly and vulnerable, scamming and conning them out of their money by extracting payment for half-hearted, unnecessary jobs around the house.

They will typically turn up unexpectedly asking for a minimal fee for a job that doesn't really need doing and turns into a much bigger fee by the end of the job.

It isn't illegal for traders to sell at the door and legitimate callers will understand you shutting the door to verify they are genuine, so don't allow yourself to be taken advantage of.

It is essential to have a national capability such as Operation Liberal, which aims to combat these kinds of criminals and maintain an intelligence database.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Waste, Councillor Tony Cox, said: "Tackling rogue traders is a big priority for the Council's Trading Standards team. Unscrupulous rogues and distraction burglars prey on the most vulnerable people in our community and can devastate their lives, so it is essential to make sure everyone knows the risks and how to avoid them.

"By joining forces with the police in campaigns like this we can reassure and educate people about how to protect themselves.

"We are still assessing the details which emerged from this year's operation, but a number of potential offences have already been identified and enquiries are ongoing.

"Rogue trading is a crime that must be stopped because it can really change people. If they don't feel safe within their own home, where can they feel safe?

"We urge people to report any cases of rogue traders or uninvited doorstep callers to Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0845-404 0506."