Police have today launched a crackdown on rogue traders and distraction burglars.

Suffolk Constabulary has joined forces with Suffolk Trading Standards, HM Revenue and Customs, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and other partner agencies for Operation Rogue Trader.

Teams of police officers and trading standards officers will be patrolling the county, checking on any suspicious vehicles or possible rogue traders and responding to any calls from concerned members of the public.

A day of action is being held today in Stowmarket where suspicious vehicles will be inspected by police for evidence of criminal offences.

In Suffolk, 87 distraction burglaries were recorded in 2007, 67 were recorded in 2008, 70 in 2009 and 24 incidents have been recorded up to June in 2010.

A total of 512 reports of rogue trading were received in Suffolk from April 2009 to the end of March 2010.

Inspector Chris Gilmore of Suffolk Constabulary said, “The majority of people who call on homes are genuine, but we would like people to be aware of this kind of crime and to take some simple steps to avoid becoming a victim.”

For the full story, see tomorrow’s paper.