Bogus traders and door-step criminals in York were targeted by a joint police and trading standards operation today, Friday 15 June.

Operation Rogue Trader, which ran throughout the day and is part of a nationwide crackdown, demonstrates the importance that City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police place upon rooting out offenders.

Those targeted ranged from rogue utility company representatives to builders, roofers,  window fitters and gardeners and included doorstep traders who deliberately overcharge for unsatisfactory or unnecessary services; damage property in order to obtain money; leave work unfinished; intimidate customers to extort money; and even exchange information with distraction burglars.

The joint objectives of Operation Rogue Trader were to:

- Deliver a strong enforcement message to potential offenders, as well as prosecuting those who do offend.
- Develop intelligence of known suspects and identify intelligence gaps.
- Raise public awareness of door-step crime and provide reassurance  to reduce the fear of crime.
- Promote partnership working
- Raise awareness of doorstep crime and its impact on the victims.

Superintendent Alison Leslie, head of North Yorkshire Police's community safety department, said: "From a policing point of view, this operation is all about deterring criminal activity and gathering intelligence about people who commit doorstep crime.

"These people often prey on the elderly and vulnerable in our communities, and we want to send a clear message that we are determined to work together with trading standards to drive these criminals out of our county."

Matt Boxall, the council's principal trading standards officer, said: "We are committed to effectively tackling doorstep crime. Rogues traders should be aware that we will use all available methods to prevent our vulnerable consumers from being ripped off in this way and to ensure criminals don’t offend in York."

The operation was supported by officers from the Department of Work and Pensions and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

Together with North Yorkshire Police, City of York Council has the following advice for anyone approached by a doorstep trader:

- If you're not sure, don't open the door and don't do business with doorstep traders.
- Anyone who has concerns about a caller should ask them to post a business card or official identification through the letter box and then telephone the company or organisation to check their identity.
- If you are still not happy, contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 24 7, or dial 999 if the caller refuses to leave your premises and you feel threatened.