Police and Trading Standards launch crackdown on rogue traders after series of incidents across Wrexham

A crackdown on rogue traders operating across Wrexham has been launched after a number of residents across the county borough were targeted by the scammers.

In recent months there have been a series of cold calling and rogue trader incidents across Wrexham, with elderly and vulnerable residents falling victim to doorstep crime. One resident in particular was robbed of £20,000 by distraction thieves.

Locally there has been a series of incidents where individuals have posed as representatives of the ‘water board’ in a bid to gain entry to a person’s home.

People are often caught off guard and what starts as a seemingly polite knock on the door or leaflet through the letter box often leads to a discussion over basic household work.

To begin with, rogue traders will usually seem very polite, friendly and helpful. However no matter how friendly they appear, they’ll push vulnerable people into carrying out expensive work which isn’t needed, and which can quickly escalate out of control.

Further down the line, the scammers turn to intimidation to then demand large sums of cash – in some cases escorting people down to their bank to withdraw money.

The affect that this type of crime can have on people’s mental health is significant, leading to increased feelings of insecurity, isolation, embarrassment and vulnerability.

Now in a bid to tackle the problem, Wrexham Trading Standards team and North Wales Police colleagues have teamed up to carry out patrols in rural communities and clampdown on rogue trading and associated criminal activity.

Officers involved in the operation have so far recovered stolen property and assisted in the search of a wanted male, and also gathered a lot of intelligence which will help them prevent future doorstep crime.

Cllr Hugh Jones, lead member for communities, partnerships, public protection and community safety, said: “Rogue traders such as doorstep criminals can have a very negative impact on our communities, and can make life especially hard for elderly or vulnerable individuals, who are often the most likely to be the victims of such crime.

“If anyone encounters such doorstep sellers at their home, they are within their rights to turn down any such offers of work – no matter how polite the seller may seem. If the sellers become insistent, suspicious or aggressive, members of the public can contact Wrexham Council’s Trading Standards service on 01978 298997 or North Wales Police on 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.

“If homeowners feel that work could be done on their home, they are advised to get in touch with a reputable trader, rather than dealing with unsolicited doorstep sellers.”

Last week Wrexham.com reported that police in the Wrexham Rural area had launched a new initiative to help protect elderly residents from rogue traders.