Rogue traders are active across London – if you are not sure don’t open the door You can help protect yourself with some common simple precautions; Use a door chain so you can check who’s calling Don’t trade on the door step Ask a trusted friend or family member for advice on reputable traders Display
-> Continue reading Doorstep Crime

It is not always easy to find a good tradesperson who is available to do the work you need done at the time you need it doing.  Guidance on how to can be found here. One thing Trading Standards officers advise is to avoid placing too much reliance on is the ratings of – apparently
-> Continue reading RATINGS: CAN THEY BE TRUSTED?

It is not always easy to find a good tradesperson who is available to do the work you need done at the time you need it doing.  Guidance on how to can be found here. Many businesses like to claim or suggest that they have been ‘approved’ or are reliable – often by displaying logos
-> Continue reading ‘APPROVED’ TRADERS

It is not always easy to find a good tradesperson who is available to do the work you need done at the time you need it doing.  To add to the difficulty, many people will neither understand exactly how the work should be completed, nor any technical explanation.   Here are some tips on how to
-> Continue reading FINDING A TRADESPERSON

Trading Standards Officers and the Police hear from hundreds of Londoners who are victims of criminals calling at their homes – some of whom have lost thousands of pounds or have been left frightened to live in their own home.  Many hundreds more will be too embarrassed to report the crime. The best thing you
-> Continue reading THE TACTICS OF DOORSTEP CRIMINALS

Trading Standards Officers and the Police hear from hundreds of Londoners who are victims of criminals calling at their homes. Some have lost their life savings, or are left frightened to live in their own homes after they have fallen prey to the worst type of callers – rogue builders who damage your home and
-> Continue reading PROTECTING VULNERABLE NEIGHBOURS

London Trading Standards hear of hundreds of examples of ‘Doorstep crime’ each year, and many hundreds of other instances will never be reported.  The criminal activity will include rogue builders overcharging for unnecessary, poor-quality work and distraction burglars who will seek to gain entry with a view to immediately stealing money or valuables, or to
-> Continue reading WHO’S THAT KNOCKING THE DOOR?

It pays to be suspicious when dealing with traders calling at your door, or at other homes in the street.  Trading Standards get hundreds of complaints every year about people who fall victim to doorstep criminals in their own homes.  Often, by the time we hear about it, the damage is done.  The loss of
-> Continue reading ARE YOU SUSPICIOUS?  REPORT IT!

Trading Standards Officers and the Police hear from hundreds of Londoners who are victims of criminals calling at their homes – some of whom have lost thousands of pounds or have been left frightened to live in their own home.  Many hundreds more will be too embarrassed to report the crime. Often it is rogue
-> Continue reading DON’T DEAL AT THE DOOR!