Rogue traders who con Hertfordshire householders out of cash are the target of new campaign.
The Constabulary has teamed up with Hertfordshire Trading Standards, as part of a national operation to disrupt and enforce against rogue traders.
Scammers have been calling at the homes of the elderly and vulnerable, offering to do work on their home or garden which is either unnecessary or vastly over-priced.
They can damage property deliberately in order to obtain money, leave work unfinished and use intimidating behaviour in order to extort money.
Operation Rogue Trader 2018 involved police forces working with partners as part of a week-long crime prevention initiative to raise public awareness of doorstep crime.
Detective Sergeant Jen Yates from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit said: Rogue traders often target vulnerable victims by cold calling and pressurising them into paying for goods or services they do not need, which can often have a serious and lasting effect on the physical, mental health and wellbeing of the victim in addition to the financial detriment suffered.
“Officers from teams across the county have been concentrating their efforts on crime prevention and disruption of offenders together with our partners this week to send out a clear message to anyone involved in this type of crime that we will do all in our power to protect some of the most vulnerable in our communities from harm. But it’s not just during this week we proactively target these offenders, in Hertfordshire we relentlessly pursue these criminals on a daily basis”.
Colin Woodward, Deputy Executive Member Community Safety at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “Rogue traders and doorstep fraudsters prey on the most vulnerable in society. Working closely with Herts Police and other agencies means we can intervene sooner and safeguard potential victims. This campaign is a core part of a wider strategy to ensure Hertfordshire Trading Standards and the Police work together protecting the vulnerable and making sure that there’s no place for these criminals to hide.”
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