Rogue trader crackdown
Published 27 Oct 2011 09:30
A major police operation took place across Clydebank last week as officers cracked down on rogue traders.
There has been a recent increase in the number of reports of illegitimate trades people cold calling residents, offering to carry out work at their property.
In a bid to combat the problem, over the past week a number of static road check points were set up in a variety of locations by police officers and partner agencies.
Several commercial vehicles were subsequently stopped and various checks undertaken on the vehicles, their occupants and cargoes.
A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: "It is recognised that this type of criminality impacts on not only the general public and legitimate businesses but can also have a more serious and devastating impact on the more vulnerable members of our community including the elderly."
Sergeant Bryan Cowie was one of the officers who stopped the vehicles to check the driver's business was legitimate.
He added: "Strathclyde Police and our partners are fully committed to tackling those involved in unscrupulous business practices.
"This can include the practice of deliberately overcharging for unsatisfactory goods and services, leaving work unfinished or using intimidating behaviour in order to extort money.
"I would urge anyone who has suspicions or is unsure with regards to the legitimacy of any person that attends at their house looking for work to deny them access to their property and contact either the police or Trading Standards."
The police worked in partnership with other agencies including Trading Standards, HMRC and Environmental Health to carry out the enforcement activity.
To report a suspected rogue trader call Clydebank police office on 0141 532 3300.
This article appeared in Clydebank Post 27 Oct 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
