Stourbridge News, Stourbridge Sport, Stourbridge Leisure - From The Stourbridge News

Crack team to fight rogue traders

From the archive, first published Friday 1st Jul 2005.

A crack operation to combat Sandwell rogue traders was staged in the borough.

Sandwell Council's trading standards officers in partnership with West Midlands Police were assisted during the exercise by the Wolverhampton Joint Shadow Economy Team (JoSET)

During the operation, held on June 23, a team focused on residential areas in the borough to identify possible rogue traders visiting homes and/or carrying out maintenance work.

A second team carried out roadside checks during the seven hour operation with the police identifying and stopping suspect vehicles.

They identified two traders who should have been registered for VAT and another who had under declared due to VAT errors.

Cllr Mahboob Hussain, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: "I welcome this initiative and all the partner organisations working together.

"I am proud of our trading standards staff for the excellent work they are doing to help protect consumers in our communities."

To report a suspected rogue trader call Sandwell trading standards on 0845 3303313.

Archive Home