Published on:
15
October 2012
Clackmannanshire and Stirling Councils' Trading Standards Service, Central Scotland Police, Benefits Agency and Licensing Departments have recently completed Operation Bionic which proactively targeted Bogus Workmen, Unlicensed Operators and Benefit cheats, within our communities, across the Central Scotland area.
All the agencies joined forces with a total commitment to reducing both the fear of doorstep crime and the number of incidents of doorstep crime occurring.
Over the summer period local communities were 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.
Operation Bionic was hailed a success in tracing and locating Bogus/Unlicensed operators and Benefit cheats resulting in a number of individuals being reported to the appropriate authorities.
In addition a high level of disruption was achieved in preventing these groups operating in our communities.
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 worked closely together with other agencies, to check that any traders found were trading in accordance within the law. The operation which was fully supported by all partner agencies ran from the 17th-28th September.
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. "
The response to Operation Bionic from the public and genuine traders was very positive. Members of the public were delighted to see all the involved partners actively engaged in their towns and villages preventing criminality and protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Genuine traders were also very supportive. They felt that their honest and lawful means of conducting their business was being protected from bogus and unlicensed operators.
Sergeant Brian Park, Interventions, Stirling, said: "Operation Bionic has been very successful in identifying and tackling various aspects of criminality in our communities. In addition to the reporting of offenders and disruption of other groups the most pleasing aspect to this operation has been the positive response from the public. People in all areas across Central Scotland were delighted to see all the partner agencies active in our communities working together to make people safer where they live and work"
Trading Standards can be contacted on 01786 442764 or by emailing tradingstandards@stirling.gov.uk or consumeradvice@stirling.gov.uk.