Police hand warning notices to 79 Staffordshire traders

None of them were supplying cancellation rights to customers, which is required by law. Only three people stopped had the correct paperwork.

One man was arrested in Cannock on suspicion of fraud. He was bailed until May 24.

Police patrols stop-checked 82 traders to ensure they were operating lawfully.

The operation, a joint exercise between Staffordshire Police and the county council, was part of a national day of action held on Thursday.

Of the 82 traders stopped, 79 were handed warnings. Those checked included tree surgeons, window companies, waste carriers, builders, carpenters, decorators, plumbers, roofers, electricians and landscape gardeners.

Trading standards manager Tony Shore said: "This will send a strong message to people using business as a front for criminal activities.

"Having most traders failing to offer cancellation rights is not acceptable. We hope this operation also serves as a reminder to them what their responsibilities are."

He said cancellation rights must be provided for any goods or services where a contract is made at a person's home or place of work.

When issued correctly they ensure there is a seven-day cooling off period, enabling the customer to cancel the contract.

Chief Inspector Ricky Fields, of Staffordshire Police, said being duped by doorstep tradesmen can have a "devastating" effect on the victims.

He said: "Rogue traders con the most vulnerable members of society, often out of vast sums of money for work that is substandard, unnecessary and overpriced.

"Dealing with them can have a seriously detrimental effect on a victim's health and confidence. Evidence suggests that distraction burglary is often linked to rogue trading."

He appealed to householders to shut their doors on doorstep traders and to use a local authority-approved tradesman if they need work done on their homes.