A SPECIAL operation to crack down on rogue traders and forceful doorstep sellers targeting vulnerable people was carried out in Redditch recently.

Worcestershire Regulatory Services’ (WRS) joined forces with West Mercia Police and national agencies to combat bogus traders who force people across the county to pay for unnecessary or overpriced work to their homes.

The campaign came just days after the Advertiser reported the story of Wythall pensioner William Frith, aged 84, who suffered a heart attack after being approached by a persistent door to door salesman. Click here for the full story.

In Winyates, Redditch, mobile patrols took place and interviews with traders were carried out.

During the campaign, police and trading standards services questioned traders, examined and verified their paperwork, identified vehicles used by criminals through automatic number plate recognition and conducted intelligence-led patrols in areas where older or more vulnerable people live.

WRS Joint Committee chairman Councillor Bronwen Behan said: “It was a successful week, with officers out and about speaking to traders and giving advice and assistance to consumers. What it shows to criminal traders is that we are working together to stop you, catch you and prosecute you.”

Peter Goodman, Deputy Chief Constable East Midlands and the national policing lead for Operation Liberal which oversees Operation Rogue Trader, said: “Distraction crimes and scams conning people of their life savings for unnecessary and overpriced work have a detrimental effect on the victim’s health and their confidence. We will continue to carry out operations like this. Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or concerns about an individual offering to carry out work to the relevant agency.”

The national campaign called ‘Operation Rogue Trader’ is held annually, last year's event saw nearly 400 people were arrested, £153,200 worth of property was recovered and over 10,000 vehicles were inspected nationwide.

Residents can report suspected rogue traders or uninvited doorstep callers to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.

Anyone with any information on a crime can contact police on 101 or report anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via their website crimestoppers-uk.org.