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Trading Standards Launch "Rat on the Rogue" Campaign

Trading Standards officers have launched their "Rat on the Rogue" campaign in a bid to gather intelligence about doorstep crime.

Leicestershire County Council's Trading Standards Service is collecting leaflets that have been pushed through residents' doors offering home improvement services and special bins have been installed in libraries across the county where people can drop them off.

Rogue traders are criminals posing as professional trades people. They can target anyone, but elderly people are most likely to be their victims.

The leaflets will enable Trading Standards officers build up a picture of trading activity in Leicestershire, target those who appear to be rogues and bring them to justice.

Blake Pain, County Council Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said:

"We would urge people to be cautious about leaflets posted through their doors and wary of uninvited callers offering home improvements.

"Residents should also be aware that traders making contracts in people's home worth more than £35 are required to give information about how to cancel the contract.

"Trading Standards always advise householders not to let uninvited callers in and be wary of buying from anyone at the door. If in doubt, keep the stranger out!"

Leaflets posted through doors might offer home improvement services such as roofing, guttering, gardening and / or driveways. Some might be from genuine traders but some may contain fake addresses, made-up telephone numbers and untrue claims about membership of trade associations and professional bodies. Work is often unnecessary and very poorly done and charges, that are already high, often increase after work is finished (or in some cases not even started). Lengthy guarantees and special discounts offered are also unlikely to be honoured.

Residents who have concerns about the trading practices of a business, would like to request a "no cold calling" sticker or find out how to avoid rogue trading can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0845 404 0506.

If you have information about a rogue trader email: telltradingstandards@leics.gov.uk

More information about Leicestershire Trading Standards can be found at: www.leics.gov.uk/tradingstandards

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