A CRACKDOWN on rogue traders aims to keep the people of Worcestershire a step ahead of the conmen and cold callers who target the elderly and vulnerable.

West Mercia Police joined forces with Trading Standards last week to crack down on rogue traders during a national week of action.

Operation Rogue Trader, which ran from Monday (May 8) until Friday (May 12), is a country-wide initiative aimed at raising awareness of unscrupulous traders who cold call victims and overcharge for unsatisfactory goods or services.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "A typical tactic that offenders will use is to provide fake contact details so the householder has no opportunity to get their money back. Most alarmingly, the victims are often targeted because they are vulnerable or elderly.

"Additional high visibility patrols have been carried out by officers to raise awareness and advise has been given to local residents about the steps they can take to help prevent them from falling victim to rogue traders."

West Mercia Police continues to urge householders to protect themselves by using a spy hole or door chain to check who callers are, and not opening the door to anyone they do not know.

Evidence strongly suggests that there are links between those who commit distraction burglary and those who are involved in rogue trading.

Those who commit these offences often cross county borders which highlights the importance of a national operation such as Operation Liberal, which is funded jointly by all police forces in England, Wales and Scotland.

Tips include checking the identity of the doorstep caller by telephoning the company they are purporting to be from, using the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider,

checking whether traders are members of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme or the Government Trust Mark scheme.

People are also advised to discuss any work they feel needs carrying out on their property with a relative or friend who can help them find a reputable trader.

They are also advised not to agree to any work or sign anything on the spot and not to let themselves be pressured into having any work carried out.

The police urge people never to pay cash up front and never go to the bank or cash point with a trader.

If you suspect a rogue trader is at your door the advice is to call 999.