Officers clamp down on rogue traders

October 18, 2018 by Southend Borough Council

A joint operation between Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Trading Standards officers and Essex Police has led to 19 local businesses being investigated.

The operation was part of Rogue Trader Week - a nationally coordinated exercise set up to help combat doorstep crime and cold caller traders who target the elderly and the vulnerable. This often leads to residents being conned into paying for over-priced and unnecessary work.

Following up on information received from the general public and from other regional authorities, officers patrolled residential areas in the town that are targeted by rogue traders and also spoke with residents where current work was being undertaken to ensure that the arrangements were satisfactory. 

In all, 24 businesses were either questioned or visited by officers during the day, and 19 did not comply with UK legislation and will now be investigated by Trading Standards.

Cllr Mark Flewitt, cabinet member for public protection, said: “Rogue traders operate outside of the law and also con innocent – and often vulnerable - people out of their hard earned money. 

“These traders are a blight on the local community and give a bad name to the many hardworking traders we have in our borough. 

“It is still too early to comment on any individual cases, but we are confident that those in question can expect a thorough investigation to take place. There is no place for rogue traders in our town and the full force of the law will be used on guilty parties.”

Residents are advised to avoid rogue traders by finding a business through the Buy with Confidence scheme, the only approved scheme operated by Trading Standards.

Buy with Confidence can be contacted either by calling 03454 04 05 06 or by visiting their website at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

If any resident is concerned that they or someone they know may have been the victim of a rogue trader, you can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer for advice.