Spot fines issued in police checks

Seven drivers got spot fines for carrying waste without a licence in a police crackdown in Staffordshire.

Police took part in a national day of action aimed at warning people of dangers of rogue traders - was part of a week of activities highlighting dangers of letting strangers into homes and work done by cold callers.

In Staffordshire 103 vehicles were stopped on the A5 at Cannock, the A460 at Shareshill, the A500 at Stoke-on-Trent and the A34 at Trentham yesterday.

A driver was summonsed for carrying illegal waste, two got fixed penalties for red diesel use, five were banned from driving until vehicle defects were sorted and there were three delayed prohibitions on tyre offences.

A stolen vehicle was recovered, four fixed penalty notices given for minor offences and seven drivers given advice over brake lights, tyres and number plates.

Trading Standards also gave advice about obligations to 12 people not doing business in a professional manner. About 80 per cent of county scrap metal dealers were visited and some property, believed to be stolen, was recovered. Inquiries on this continue.

The day was led by Operation Liberal - the national distraction burglary intelligence unit - and Trading Standards. Inspector Amanda Davies, force tactical support manager said:

"Rogue traders prey on the elderly and most vulnerable members of society, often conning them out of vast sums of money for work that is substandard, unnecessary and overpriced.

"In Staffordshire, this type of crime accounts for a small percentage of overall crime but can have a devastating effect on victims because of their vulnerability.

"This day of action is important in both catching offenders and getting the message across to potential victims. Evidence suggests that distraction burglary is linked to rogue trading.

As distraction burglary offences have decreased, rogue-trading offences have increased. Rogue traders often travel vast distances across the country to commit offences, highlighting why having a national capability such as Operation Liberal is important."