Major crackdown on crime at the doorstep

Wide-ranging assault on street level problems

Results f rom the attachment included 12 men being subject of reports to the procurator fiscal in connection with alleged fraud offences; the alleged offences amounted to around £370,000.

Trading Standards officers also took action against eight people who breached the Enterprise Act 2002, with the offences amounting to almost £200,000.

The team worked together to combat other types of crime including visits to shops in Lanarkshire, where over £150,000 worth of counterfeit goods were recovered; one woman was subject to a report to the procurator fiscal in connection with that recovery.

A warrant was executed at premises in Coatbridge where a large amount of illicit cigarettes were recovered.

Detective Inspector Colin Campbell, who heads up the Operation Doric team, said: “The support from our partner agencies at North and South Lanarkshire councils is essential in the fight against crime.

“This secondment has again shown how joint working and intelligence gathering can really impact our commitment to reducing crime.

“The team undertook joint operational activity using both agencies powers to target those involved in doorstep and counterfeit crimes.

“We will continue to work together to gather intelligence, carry out joint operations and educational events, whilst sharing good practice.”

The Detective Inspector added: “The people who commit doorstep crime are despicable.

“They deliberately target elderly and vulnerable people and defraud them of their life savings.

“If someone attends at your door, and you are not expecting them, don’t let them in.

“If someone comes to your door about repairs that need carried out, please alert a neighbour or family member to their presence, and for any advice and assistance, please contact police on 101.

“A lot of these fraudsters can appear legitimate, but be wary and don’t be afraid to say no.”

Paul Bannister, Trading St a n d a rds manag e r at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “Further joint working through this partnership initiative with Police Scotland’s Lanarkshire Division and our neighbours in South Lanarkshire Council has again demonstrated that we can better achieve results working together than we can in isolation.

“We will continue to take the most robust enforcement action available to target criminals, with the aims of making our communities safer and ensuring that those who break the law do not benefit from it.

“Working together helps us to deliver on one of our key Community Safety Partnership outcomes, reducing the harm caused to communities by organised crime groups.”

Further crime prevention advice is available on the Police Scotland website at www. scotland. police. uk/ keep-safe/