Special task to combat rogue trader problems

Posted on August 16, 2006

A rapid response team combating rogue traders which has made 16 arrests and stopped cowboys pocketing more than £50,000 in its first ten months has welcomed two more recruits.

Special constables Becky White and Angela Williamson, will be targeting the activities of rogue tradesmen and opportunist cold callers as part of Beds County Council's award-winning bogus callers taskforce.

The team has worked with local communities to introduce no cold calling zones in Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Eaton Bray, as well as intercepting known rogue traders before they cause a nuisance to residents and responding to calls.

Councillor Bob King, responsible for community services, said: "Residents have been telling us that feeling safe at home is one of their highest priorities, so I'm pleased to extend the Bogus? Phone Us! rapid response team. With two more enforcement officers out on the streets, we are sending a clear message to rogue traders - they are not welcome in Beds."

Brian Mitchell, reactive team manager, said: "The number of serious incidents in our no cold calling zones has dropped dramatically. We used to deal with householders that had lost thousands of pounds to rogue traders, but our task force is making this history. We are steadily working towards the point where Beds becomes a no cold calling zone and I'm hopeful that the rapid response team will keep it that way."

Source: Dunstable Gazette, 16 August 2006