Doorstep Crime
This can be defined as instances where someone comes to the door and tricks the householder into letting them in so that they can steal, or alternatively persuades the householder to hand over money for goods and services they never see or charge extortionate amounts for shoddy goods or services.These individuals may pose as officials (eg water, gas or electricity board) in order to carry out a burglary, or maybe seek payment for closing a job – very often driveway re-surfacing, roofing repairs, or furniture/carpet selling.
In all instances these individuals cold call, and very often target older people, often those that live alone.
In tackling this type of crime we seek to:
1. Educate the public so that they are more aware of these types of criminals so that they are less vulnerable and able to deal with doorstep callers more effectively.
2. Respond immediately (in conjunction with the Police) when complaints are received relating to traders cold calling offering goods and services. This may then involve carrying out an investigation when householders have been deceived into paying for work or goods that are sub standard, unsafe or falsely described.
3. Liaise with the Police and other enforcement agencies so that intelligence is effectively disseminated between agencies in order to more effectively combat the crime.
Finally, we wish to urge members of the public that we need to work together in order to combat this crime. Evidence shows that these criminals are extremely organised and their activities particularly distressing for visitors, yet there appears to be a reluctance on behalf of the public to report this crime. We urge anyone that has information relating to doorstep crime to click on the link trading.standards@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk or contact the Department on 01495 356138.
Doorstep Selling
Under new laws consumers can now cancel contracts for most goods or services signed at their home or place of work with door-to-door salesmen. This is the case even if the consumer asked for the visit. Previously, consumers could only cancel such contracts if the salesman’s visit was uninvited (i.e. they were “cold called”).
The Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumers Home or Place of Work etc Regulations 2008 came into force on 1st October 2008. These regulations replace previous law and state that, regardless of whether a trader is uninvited or invited, the consumer has a seven day cooling off period within which they can cancel the contract. The regulations also extend this protection to contracts made with traders at a consumers place of work, a third persons home or on an excursion away from their home.
However, there are some contracts the regulations don’t apply to, including :
- items that cost less than £35
- perishable goods such as food and drink
- land, insurance and investment agreements.
Traders must provide cancellations rights clearly and prominently in any written contract or, if there isn’t a written contract, then a separate notice of cancellation must be given.
If consumers decide to have work done or to receive goods within the seven day cooling off period then they need to give their agreement in writing. If they do this and then cancel within the cooling- off period then they may have to pay for any work done or any goods received up to that point including goods supplied to meet an emergency (such as plumbing or building work), personalised goods (for example items made to measure), goods that become incorporated into land (building bricks, patio slabs, etc) and goods or services relating to a funeral.
Failure to comply with these regulations is a criminal offence but it also means that the trader won’t be able to enforce the contract against the consumer, in other words take them to court for non-payment.
These regulations will affect businesses such as double glazing salesmen, builders soliciting business such as roof repairs, driveway replacement, patio’s, conservatories, etc. This type of work is very often a source of complaint to Trading Standards and these new rules are aimed at reducing problems with rogue traders.
