In a bid to disrupt the activities of rogue traders across the UK, Cornwall Trading Standards officers were this week involved in a range of education and enforcement activities to coincide with Operation Rogue Trader.

Activities in Cornwall ranged from identifying vehicles used by criminals through automatic number plate recognition to conducting intelligence-led patrols in areas where older or vulnerable people live, with assistance in Newquay from Devon and Cornwall Police.

Cornwall Trading Standards also held a free seminar for partner agencies, charities and volunteer agencies who engage with vulnerable residents, which was supported by BBC Radio Cornwall’s Laurence Reed.

Operation Rogue Trader is a national week of action aimed at targeting the criminals involved in offering over-priced or poor quality driveway, roofing or other home improvement services.

In 2016 activities during the week led to 300 arrests and 5,000 vehicle inspections nationally.

People should report cases of rogue traders or uninvited doorstep callers to Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0345 04 05 06.