Trading Standards have been pounding the pavements of Cheshire East, tackling doorstep crime.
Working in partnership with Cheshire Police and the Environment Agency, patrols were carried out in Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Knutsford, Crewe, Nantwich and Congleton –where there have been incidents of doorstep crime.
Trading Standards officers conducted spot-checks at homes where it was obvious work was being carried out. Traders were checked to ensure they were following current legislation and the householder was asked if they were pleased with the work and if they thought they had been treated fairly.
Officers, along with Cheshire Police, also stopped a number of trade vehicles to check their compliance with regulations.
Offences which breached legislation included:
- Not having the correct licence to carry waste materials.
- Being unaware of the need to offer a cancellation notice to customers, also known as the ‘Cooling-off period’ - this only applies when a contract is signed/agreed away from a trader’s business premises. For example; in the home or at the front door.
Those who had been repeat-victims of doorstep crime were visitied by officers to see how they could be helped further. Many of these had been the victims of distraction burglaries or pressure-selling.
In addition to this, newspaper ads and telephone directories were checked to make sure those which carried an official logo of an approved trade body were genuine.
More than 600 consumer advice leaflets were handed out by Trading Standards officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
Cheshire East Councillor, Rachel Bailey, Cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said:
“This is yet another excellent example of how we can help local residents through successful partnership working . For me, this is evidence of Trading Standards’ commitment to protecting Cheshire East’s consumer needs, promoting safety and security both in the home and in local businesses.
“No one in Cheshire East should have to put up with pressure-selling on their doorstep, which in some cases has involved a trader entering a person’s property against their will.
“My thanks go to the Trading Standards team, Cheshire Police, the Environment Agency and to the local residents who took the time to report rogue traders to us.
“I would advise anyone with concerns to contact Consumer Direct. For genuine traders, I urge them to speak to Cheshire East Council’s dedicated Business Support team and double check they are observing current legislation.”
Any Cheshire East business that would like further information on current legislation or anyone with concerns about local traders should contact Consumer Direct North West on 08454 040506.
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