Have you been scammed?

A campaign is under way to tackle rogue traders in West Berkshire and warn people about doorstep purchases

AN INITIATIVE is underway in West Berkshire to tackle a “tsunami of crime” that has seen elderly people in the district targeted by rogue traders.

The Office of Fair Trading is running a month-long campaign throughout July to try and reduce the number of people scammed by rogue traders, which has seen a guide produced to help local residents with issues about buying on the doorstep.

Talks have also been held recently in day centres across the district and with neighbourhood watch coordinators to try and raise awareness of the problem.

In the past 12 months, 54 complaints about rogue traders have been reported to West Berkshire and Wokingham Trading Standards, although community and consumer information officer, Caroline Stevenson, said this was probably only the “tip of the iceberg.”

One Newbury resident, who asked not to be named, said he welcomed the new campaign, adding that it was important for the public at large to see that something was being done to try and prevent it from happening.

"They are not sitting back and letting this tsunami of crime overwhelm us," he said.

"Elderly people are vulnerable and quite frankly, some folk are wide open to doorstep traders.

"Anything that can give them advice is very valuable indeed."

Mrs Stevenson said the three most common complaints with rogue traders in West Berkshire was about people offering to tarmac drives, repair roofs or carry out work in gardens, adding that high pressure tactics were often used to try and strike a deal.

However, she said there were things that could be done to prevent falling foul of rogue traders, including asking for more time to think about the offer, taking advice from trusted individuals and finding your own reputable traders.

She said: “People should never make decisions on the day.

“If you think the work needs to be done, get quotes from other traders and speak to people you trust.

“You should always go and find someone to do work rather than have them come to you and it is important to remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Mrs Stevenson added that people could also help by keeping an eye out for their neighbours, particularly if they are elderly, while she said that anyone who suspects someone of being a rogue trader should note down details of the person and report it to trading standards.

However, she said people should not put themselves in any danger to get the details or a photograph, adding that rogue traders and distraction burglaries sometimes went hand in hand.

If you live in West Berkshire and have been a victim of rogue traders, contact Robert Warlow on 01635 564540 or email robert.warlow@newburynews.co.uk