Crackdown on bogus workmen gets results
Stirling Area Commander Chief Inspector Lynn Ratcliff delivers an update on their fight to tackle the problem of bogus callers and rogue traders.
As I highlighted last week, Police Scotland has recently been working on Operation Monarda – an initiative which is aimed specifically at tackling doorstep crime.
During three days of action local teams were supported by officers engaged on Campaign Against Violence (CAV) duties, who assisted with a number of actions which help combat the activities of bogus workers and rogue traders.
In partnership with Stirling Council Customer First, officers distributed more than 450 information leaflets to members of the public and were on hand within the Thistles Centre and at other venues in the town centre to raise awareness about doorstep crime.
A total of 60 trade vehicles were stopped at a checkpoint in Craigforth where officers detected 17 offences ranging from no MOT, vehicle insurance or road tax to various lighting offences. On Thursday (April 28) officers patrolling in the Broomridge area of Stirling carried out checks on a number of people, including two men working as window cleaners.
On checking these males it was established that they did not have the necessary licence to carry out this work and further investigation revealed that neither of the males was insured to drive the vehicle they were using. Both have now been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
The owner of the vehicle has also been traced and is now the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal for allowing the vehicle to be used by uninsured parties.
If you have any suspicions about persons carrying out work in your local area, note as much information as you can about them, including descriptions and details of any vehicles they may be using, and contact Police Scotland.
Similarly, I’d like to remind everyone that if you are unsure of anyone who calls at your home, don’t let them in and get in touch with the organisation they claim to work for – if they are genuine they will be happy to wait while you do this.
For further advice and information on Operation Monarda speak to a local officer or attend your local station, by calling 101. Or see www.scotland.police.uk