POLICE and Trading Standards are trying to make Dorset a ‘no-go area’ for rogue traders and distraction thieves.

Local officers are targeting criminals throughout the county as part of a national crackdown.

Police vehicles equipped with automatic number plate recognition technology are being used to identify suspect vehicles in hot spots that have previously been targeted.

The warning comes as a trader falsely claiming that his driveway resurfacing business was ‘the local company you can trust’ has been prosecuted after investigation by Dorset County Council’s Trading Standards Service.

Felix Rooney who traded as Pattern Stone Paving, pleaded guilty to four offences, under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, when he appeared before Weymouth Magistrates’ Court.

Pattern Stone Paving’s advertising leaflets and invoices prominently used the phrase ‘the local company you can trust’, together with a Bridport address.

The address was simply a mailbox the business was using while trading in the area for a short period during the summer of 2009.

Dorset Trading Standards divisional manager Paul Carter said: “While Dorset is a safe area to live in, we are aware that, from time to time, distraction burglars and rogue traders do try to operate in our communities.

“All three councils and Dorset Police work very closely together to try to make Dorset a no-go area for such criminals. We actively share intelligence and co-operate on cases as they come to light.

“Also Dorset Police safer neighbourhood teams and Homewatch have focused advice for residents on those areas that have been targeted in the past.”

Officers are reminding people of their consumer rights, allowing them to give seven days’ cancellation notice to traders who have come to their doors.

It is a criminal offence for traders to fail to give this notification and the contract becomes unenforceable.

Officers also remind Dorset residents that rogue traders often call at consumers’ doors offering to do work that is usually unnecessary and vastly overpriced. They may use false identity cards.

Superintendent Charlie Eggar, of Dorset Police, added: “These types of offences are particularly vile and cowardly”