Stoke-on-Trent Council says "Show Rogue Traders the Door" - series of events to stop doorstep crime.

Rogue traders will be kept at bay in Stoke-on-Trent this month with a series of events to stop doorstep crime.

As part of Rogue Trader Awareness month the city council’s Trading Standards is carrying out a series of doorstep crime talks to vulnerable residents. The talks will target the city’s most vulnerable residents at different locations across the city and will offer advice and support on how to tackle doorstep crime.

The news comes just days after Stoke-on-Trent City Council announced that further No Called Calling Zones will be set up across the city. Stoke-on-Trent currently has nine No Called calling Zones in operation. There are now a further five zones planned to help protect vulnerable city residents from doorstep crime.

Councillor Terry Follows, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Rogue traders often prey on the vulnerable and elderly. Here in Stoke-on-Trent the message is clear it won’t be tolerated.

“It is not illegal for traders to sell at the door and legitimate callers will not mind if you shut and lock the door while you verify that they are genuine.  By working closely with our partners the city council is determined to help vulnerable residents get the support they need to stop doorstep crime taking place.” 

Last year there were 357 incidents of rogue trading and distraction burglary reported in Stoke-on-Trent.  However, the actual figure could be higher as evidence suggests only 10% of incidents are ever reported to the authorities because victims feel foolish by being conned.

Rogue Trader Awareness month was launched in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire with a joint Police and Trading Standards day of action on 30th June. On the day roving patrols manned by Police and Trading Standards checked out property repairers working in identified Doorstep Crime Hotspots to catch the rogues. An elderly lady in Meir narrowly escaped becoming a victim.
Inspector Amanda Davies, Tactical Support Manager for Staffordshire Police, said: “In Staffordshire, door step crime accounts for a small percentage of overall crime but can have a devastating effect on victims because of their vulnerability. It is important that we create awareness in order to both catch offenders and get the message across to potential victims.”

If any group would like to have a talk arranged on doorstep crime they can call Trading Standards on 01782 232065 for more details.