Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Wednesday, May 20 was national Rogue Trader Day.
Wiltshire Police have had two roadside checkpoints where they have been stopping and advising traders. Other agencies have also been looking at their legal compliance in other areas.

Summer is just around the corner, and people are just beginning to think about home improvements and repairs, gardening and building.

For the rogue trader, this is the busiest time of year. With people tightening their financial belts, and for vulnerable people in the county, this is a time to be especially wary of cold-callers and traders offering repair work and home improvements. They may be legitimate, or they may be a rogue trader trying to take people's money or leaving their homes in a bad state.

Wiltshire Council service director Mandy Bradley said: "Today has been an opportunity to show how well our new service works with partners to protect the people of Wiltshire. We want to send a strong message to rogue traders that we will be taking action to champion the rights of consumers in our county, especially the vulnerable, and will consider legal action where necessary."

Over the past year, there have been many changes in legislation that provide more protection for the consumer and it is one of the jobs of the Wiltshire Council's trading standards team to advise the trade, promote fair trading and deal with those traders who don’t abide by the legislation.

Anyone wanting to know more about their rights, and how to protect themselves against rogue traders, should call Consumer Direct 08454 04 05 06.