Published on:
10
September 2012
Clackmannanshire and Stirling Councils' Trading Standards Service and Central Scotland Police are committed to reducing both the fear of doorstep crime and the number of incidents of doorstep crimeoccurring.
Over the summer period local communities have been targeted by bogus workers, travelling criminals and doorstep crime.
This has led to a fear of this type of crime, particularly amongst the elderly and vulnerable. Experience has shown that where consumers are 'cold called' by door-step traders, consumers, especially the most vulnerable, can be persuaded or pressurised into accepting work which is overpriced, substandard and generally not required.
In order to reduce this type of crime Trading Standards and Central Scotland Police are working together with other agencies including officers from Licensing and Benefit Fraud and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency in a joint operation during the last two weeks in September, to check that any traders found are trading in accordance with their legal obligations.
Clackmannanshire Council's Convenor of Enterprise and the Environment, Councillor Donald Balsillie, said: "The vast majority of local traders are genuine, competent tradespersons who rely on word of mouth from satisfied customers and their reputation in the community for work.
"These traders find that they do not need to seek new work by 'cold calling'. Members of the public can help calling Trading Standards and informing of any instances of "cold-calling" or receiving "fliers" advertising traders. "
Trading Standards can be contacted on 01786 442764 or by emailing tradingstandards@stirling.gov.uk or consumeradvice@stirling.gov.uk.
Councillor Balsillie added: "By working together we can reduce the instances of vulnerable members of our communities suffering financial detriment from doorstep criminals."