Multi-agency days of action targeting rogue traders

In June, Surrey Police worked with the Serious Organised Crime (SOC) Partnership Board and local agencies to protect Surrey residents and businesses by tackling rogue trading in the county.

One disruption day and one engagement day was held in each of three locations across the county: Dorking, Chertsey and Farnham. The purpose was to raise awareness of rogue trading, fraud and scams as well as dismantling and disrupting Serious Organised Crime operating within Surrey.

Multi-agency road checks were set up on the A24 in Dorking, Hardwick Lane in Chertsey, and the B2130 Godalming to Cranleigh with partners focussing on commercial vehicles and waste carriage industry.

Road stops were conducted by the Roads Safety policing team, DVSA (Driving Vehicle Standards Agency) and Casualty Reduction Officers. Across the three locations 96 vehicles were stopped, 10 vehicles were seized, and seven arrests were made for drug driving. HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) analysed 62 fuel samples and one vehicle was found to be overloaded in excess of two tonnes.

Rogue traders are criminals, who pose as tradespeople, but their real aim is to con people out of their hard-earned money. Some key advice that we give to keep yourself and your family safe is to:

• Try to avoid talking to unexpected ‘tradespeople’ at your door as it is unusual that legitimate tradespeople will cold call you
• If possible, get quotes for work from at least three different companies
• Check that the trader is registered with an accredited trade body and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme
• Avoid paying for work at your doorstep and do not go to a cash machine if asked to by a trader
• Remember that even if you sign a contract, you are legally entitled to a 14-day cancellation period
• Make sure to report any rogue traders and scams to us and Trading Standards

Community engagement days took place across three boroughs (Mole Valley, Runnymede and Waverley), with over 600 members of the public visiting our stalls to get information and advice. Members of our Safer Neighbourhood teams were on hand to answer any questions, alongside colleagues from partner agencies such as Trading Standards, Crimestoppers and members of the local councils.

Don Whyte, Co-Leader of Runnymede Borough Council, said: "I am sure I speak for all of us in saying that we welcome the proactive work on both days and the results are particularly heartening. By carrying out the day of action, Surrey Police and the partner agencies involved have introduced an increased degree of jeopardy to those who would flaunt the law."

Other agencies who took part in the action and engagement days include:

• Environmental Agency
• Immigration Enforcement
• Surrey County Council Trading Standards
• Runnymede council safer communities team
• Mole Valley Council safer communities team
• Waverley council safer communities team
• AgeUK
• Mole Valley Life
• Surrey Fire & Rescue Service
• Mole Valley JET Joint Enforcement Team
• Deputy Police Crime Commissioner

Lee Ormandy, Chair of the Surrey SOC Partnership board, said: “This is a perfect example of a diverse range of local, regional and national partners working collaboratively to disrupt criminal activity, reduce the harm caused by SOC, safeguard the vulnerable and make our communities safer. The results of the six days of action speak for themselves but this is only the beginning.

“The Surrey SOC Partnership Board will continue to bring together the expertise and resources of various agencies, enabling an effective and comprehensive approach to tackling SOC and protecting vulnerable individuals and businesses. By working together, we achieve outcomes that would be difficult or impossible for individual agencies to achieve alone.”

The action and engagement days play a wider role in the work that Surrey Police and our partners carry out to disrupt the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

Report all incidents of doorstep crime to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or to the police on 101, in case of an emergency contact the police on 999.