Keeping conmen at bay

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 22, 2009

A TOTAL of 110 people have been arrested, 185 vehicles seized and 569 summons and fixed penalty notices issued in a Northumbria Police campaign to tackle rogue traders and bogus officials.

During the operation police used automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to target vehicles connected with doorstep crime or distraction burglary.

'Rogue traders' are known to disregard road traffic legislation, illegally tip waste on to public land and breach legislation on trading standards, waste carrying and health and safety.

Motor patrols officers using ANPR targeted key locations on the main routes through the force area.

Officers stopped suspect vehicles and challenged the occupants to check whether the relevant legislation was being followed.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Barron, who led the operation, said: "The operation had a positive impact on road safety by taking vehicles that were not insured or had appropriate drivers off the road.

"Increased patrols on the main roads through the force sends a clear message to offenders - you might be arrested, summonsed or you could lose your vehicle if you come to Northumbria.

"And safer roads mean less accidents and less heartache for families." So-called 'rogue traders' often prey on the elderly and vulnerable and leave with unfinished, unsatisfactory or unnecessary work.

Northumbria Police joined forces with Trading Standards, the Department of Work and Pensions, Environment Agency and HMRC to carry out checks on bogus officials and those posing as builders, window fitters, tarmac layers and gardeners and those who tout for business door to door..