Rogue traders
Commonly referred to as "cowboys", rogue traders pose as property maintenance workers, gardeners and builders offering any number of services to residents.
They offer substandard or non-existent services at grossly inflated prices and often target the vulnerable or elderly in the community.
Sandwell Council and West Midlands Police have joined forces to establish the Sandwell Doorstep Crime Partnership.
The partnership is a specialist team of officers set up to protect residents from rogue traders who call door to door in their neighbourhoods.
What will we do?
- Our officers will investigate any incident reported to us where a Sandwell resident may have been the victim of a rogue trader.
- We will rapidly respond to any incident where a rogue trader is on site, in the vicinity, or likely to return.
- Our service operates in office hours.
- We will advise anyone who believes they have been a victim of rogue trader activity and help ensure they are never a victim again!
- We will carry out inspections of traders working on properties in your neighbourhood.
How does it work?
- Our specialist team of officers are keen to inspect traders operating in your neighbourhood to ensure they are genuine.
- We would like you to work with us to prevent doorstep crime in your area.
- If you have any doubts about any persons calling at your door or working on properties in your neighbourhood please let us know.
- We are relying on residents like you to tell us about suspicious activity so we can investigate and take action where necessary on your behalf.