POLICE and Trading Standards Officers from Halton Borough Council targeted rogue tradesmen and bogus callers across Halton last Friday.

Operation Rogue Trader aims to make people feel secure in their homes by dealing with tradesmen who con people out of money on their doorstep for substandard work.

The joint operation involved Cheshire Constabulary, consumer protection, waste management and Customs & Revenue and formed part of a national operation.

Almost 20 officers took part in the operation across Widnes and Runcorn, with additional support being provided by Cheshire Police's Automatic Number Plate Re-cognition Unit.

The team targeted works vehicles --including those carrying out roofing work, guttering and resurfacing.

Halton's Consumer Protection Doorstep Crime Officer said: 'Around 15 suspect vehicles were stopped in Halton and a further 35 in Warrington, and this resulted in two men being arrested - one for theft and another for traffic related offences.

'Officers dealt with one particular contractor involved in substandard resurfacing work and this resulted in the householder being saved hundreds of pounds.'

There were also two staff from the Revenue and Customs Road Fuel Testing Unit and one member of staff from the Department for Work and Pensions focusing on benefit cheats and fuel tax evasion.

Inspector Richard Hill, from the Runcorn Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: 'The operation was to raise awareness of the problems of rogue tradesman and cold callers.

'Information shows bogus traders are responsible for a variety of offences and often steal from the people they are carrying out the work for. It was encouraging to see all the different agencies working together for the community.'

Greater powers against crime

HALTON Borough Council Executive Board Member for Consumer Protection, Cllr Marie Wright said: 'Through our partnership with Cheshire Police we now have greater enforcement and investigation powers to trace bogus traders in Halton.

'This exercise illustrates how we can protect vulnerable residents.'

Anyone can contact Cheshire Police on: 0845 458 0000, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.