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Annual Operation Rogue Trader sees 100 arrests – and millions of pounds worth of property recovered (21 April 2016)

Date: 21/04/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Annual Operation Rogue Trader sees 100 arrests – and millions of pounds worth of property recovered

The government has said that the annual national Operation Rogue Trader day on 13 April resulted in more than 100 people being arrested, with £3.1 million-worth of property being recovered and more than 5,000 vehicles inspected.

More than 30 Environment Agency Officers worked closely with emergency responders and investigators in this year’s operation – Environment Agency teams were involved at locations across England and staff physically assisted in over 200 roadside checks of vehicles and site visits.

Police and Trading Standards services coordinated efforts across the country, with support from the Department of Work and Pensions, the Environment Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, the DVLA, the DVSA, Border Force and Scambusters, to catch rogue traders and prevent crime.

Operation Rogue Trader is led by Operation Liberal – the national intelligence unit which links associated crimes and gathers intelligence on organised crime groups throughout the UK.

Office Manager for Operation Liberal, Andrew Luckett, said:

“Distraction crimes and scams continue to occur and the victims are swindled out of their life savings for unnecessary and overpriced work, which has a detrimental effect on the victim’s health and their confidence.

“We will continue to carry out operations like this – and remind the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or concerns about an individual offering to carry out work to the relevant agency.”

Deputy Director of the Environment Agency’s Enforcement Service, Nicky Lawton, added:

“The Environment Agency works closely with partner enforcement organisations to identify and stop rogue traders.

“We will take action against illegal operators, who risk polluting the environment and undercutting legitimate businesses.”

The agency says that any waste collector should have Environment Agency permits – and consumers should always check whether a trader is legitimate.

Suspicions about rogue waste collectors can be reported it to the Environment Agency incident hotline 0800 80 70 60 or at Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

People should report cases of rogue traders or uninvited doorstep callers to Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute lead officer for doorstep crime, Steve Playle, said:

“Operation Rogue Trader is a great opportunity for the different partners involved in tackling doorstep crime to come together and carry out some enforcement work and to raise awareness of the issues.

“Cold calling criminals undertaking property maintenance work continue to exploit vulnerable and elderly homeowners.

“Trading Standards officers right across the UK are committed to making criminals’ lives as difficult as possible by sharing intelligence, causing disruption and taking criminal prosecutions where necessary.”

Operation Rogue Trader is a joint operation being run by Operation Liberal –
the national intelligence unit whose remit includes burglary and fraud – and Trading Standards.

All forces in England, Wales and Scotland are members of Operation Liberal.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers

Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving rogue trading, including environmental offences – and charges involving fraud, theft and burglary.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on all charges involving rogue trading, call Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.

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