DORSET Police have dedicated a week to spreading awareness of rogue traders and distraction burglars who prey on the elderly and vulnerable by trying to con them out of money or trick their way into their homes.

Dorset Police’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs), trading standards officers and representatives from the Land Registry patrolled streets across the county and spoke to legitimate traders and householders who were having work done as part of a week-long crime prevention initiative.

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and trading standards also held community engagement events in banks, post offices and in shopping precincts across the county, to help local people recognise the extreme lengths fraudsters go to in order to obtain money through unlawful means.

During a national day of action last Wednesday (13 April) officials in Dorset spoke to more than 100 members of the public and 39 traders.

Amy Crowfoot from Dorset Police communications and engagement department said: "No reputable traders will call at your door without invitation. Legitimate callers will not mind if the door is closed and locked while their identity is verified.

"Rogue traders often offer gardening work or maintenance services at attractive rates but the quality of work is substandard, unnecessary or overpriced. They often use persuasive sales techniques to encourage people into making hasty decisions.

Inspector Ernie Henley, territorial policing lead for doorstep crime, said: “We are working with partner agencies to help prevent the public becoming victims and to bring those who commit such crimes to justice, not just in the week of action, but all year round.

“Doorstep crime - where criminals trick their way into peoples’ homes or con people to having work done - causes great distress to the victims who are often the most vulnerable members of society.

“Dorset Police sees a rise in such crimes through April to June, so we are asking the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activities.

“Our message is simple; ‘be sure who is at your door’ and never accept work from anyone who tries to sell you services at your door. Never let anyone into your home if you don’t know them.”

Crime prevention officer, Debbie Oldfield, said: “The people who carry out poor or unnecessary work take business away from legitimate tradespeople in the first instance. They want to do a good job and need the business for their livelihoods.

“Legitimate traders told the police and Trading Standards officers that they are keen to see proactive work being done as they often have to repair dodgy work which has been done by rogue traders.

Trading Standards and Planning Enforcement Manager, Andy Sherriff, added: “There is a key message for householders –don’t be rushed into accepting a quote or believing scare-stories peddled by doorstep callers. Sit down, have a cup of tea and take some advice."