POLICE will warn Dorset residents not to open their doors to crime during a day of action.

Officers will team up with representatives from Trading Standards on Wednesday, June 1 to offer advice on how to avoid becoming the victim of rogue traders and distraction burglars.

Members of the public at banks, supermarket and shopping centres will be approached by the officers between 9am and 1pm.

Those who wish to raise concerns with their neighbourhood policing teams can head to Tesco at Stour Park in Blandford, the Co-op in Wimborne Road, Moordown, Lloyds in Southbourne Grove, NatWest in Poole Road, Westbourne, Saxon Square in Christchurch, B&Q at Fleetsbridge and Waitrose in Wimborne.

Inspector Ernie Henley of Dorset Police said: “Our engagement day aims to make as many people as possible aware of what doorstep crime is and how to avoid becoming a victim.

“We want to provide help and advice to the public in order to prevent them, or people they know, from becoming victims to distraction burglary and rogue traders. All too often, the most vulnerable members of our communities fall prey to these criminals.

“Dorset Police is working with our partner agencies to protect the public from such crimes and bring offenders to justice.

“We’d like to encourage everyone to come along to one of our events and speak to their local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT)and Trading Standards officers about doorstep crime, or anything else you wish to know about.

“We would like to thank the various businesses across Dorset for allowing us to use their facilities to help us get this important message out to our communities.”

James Norman, regulatory team manager at Trading Standards, added: “Rogue traders prey on the most vulnerable in society, conning them out of vast sums of money for unnecessary and overpriced work.

“In many cases this is their life savings. When someone falls foul of a rogue trading scam, research shows it has a seriously detrimental effect on the victim’s health and their confidence.

“If you need a trader to carry out any work around your home, however small, visit our Buy with Confidence website to find a Trading Standards approved trusted trader.”