Enforcement agencies united for a day of action targetting rogue traders and forceful doorstep sellers in Cumbria.

North west Trading Standards services, alongside Cumbria Police, HMRC and the DVSA, took part in the co-ordinated day of action last Wednesday.

The day involved roadside vehicle checks, police insurance, tax and MOT checks, and Trading Standards paperwork and advertising checks.

Celia Tibble, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for Trading Standards, said: “We’re always working to disrupt the activities of bogus traders, however the best way to avoid a problem is simply never to do business with any cold callers.

“If a company uses pressure tactics to try to get you to buy goods or agree to have work done immediately, alarm bells should start ringing.

“Typically we find that a small job such as cleaning gutters and re-pointing ridge tiles can soon escalate to suggesting a compete re-roof is required.

“Reputable firms will not demand cash up front, and will be happy to come back another day to give you time to think about it and get other quotes.”