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Operation Rogue Trader 2016
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DID you know about:- 'Operation
Rogue Trader' taking place? No it's not a Star Wars film spin off, but
an operation targeting doorstep criminals! This Merseyside Police operation has
now been hailed a success, following the proactive work by Police Officers along
with Council and other law enforcement partners across Merseyside.
Officers, working with Trading Standards, the Department of Work and Pensions,
Environment Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, the Driving Vehicle Licencing
Agency, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Border Force, Health & Safety
Executive, Land Registry, National Benefit Fraud Office, Local Council
Environmental Health Departments and Scambusters carried out a number of crime
prevention and law enforcement activities in Merseyside to catch those
responsible for this type of crime and offer reassurance to local residents.
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In St Helens and Newton-le-Willows, more than 10,000 counterfeit
illegal cigarettes, 100 bottles of counterfeit wine and spirits, and quantities
of illegal sports supplements and diet pills were seized following information
received from the community. As a result, an investigation is to be carried out
by Trading Standards in relation to 3 shop premises.
In Knowsley, officers from the Roads Policing Unit, working alongside DVSA and
HMRC, stopped a number of vehicles, resulting in arrests and cash and drug
seizures. On Monday, 11 April 2016, a van was stopped in Knowsley and £80,000 of
cash was located in the vehicle. A further search of the man's home address in
Melling resulted in the recovery of further cash and 4Kilos to 5 kilos of crack
cocaine. A 31 year old man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and
drug offences and has been bailed pending further inquiries.
On Wednesday, 13 April 2016, a white van was stopped near to Knowsley Heights,
and the driver was found to have given false details and was arrested for
driving offences.
In Sefton, Police surgeries were carried out and crime prevention, and
reassurance visits made to local residents and previous victims of rogue trader
offences.
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In Wirral, Officers stopped numerous vehicles, resulting in the
issuing of fixed penalty notices. Home security advice, leaflets and reassurance
have also been given to residents across Wirral.
Police and Trading Standards have also made joint visits to numerous areas on
Merseyside which have been targeted by Rogue Traders, offering reassurance and
crime prevention advice to residents and businesses.
Chief Superintendent Peter Costello, head of Local Policing in Merseyside,
said:- "We have seen some excellent results so far this week, which once
again shows the value of Operation Rogue Trader to Merseyside Police and our key
partners. The aim of Operation Rogue Trader is to work with partners to disrupt
rogue traders and, where offenses have been committed, put these offenders
before the Courts. We have worked proactively with numerous partners to achieve
these results with great success. Not only have our dedicated officers disrupted
criminal activity, they also been directly involved in recovering stolen
property and arresting suspects, which complements our work targeting serious
and organised crime across the Force. A great deal of work has also been done by
our roads policing unit, working alongside the DVLA, in terms of checking
vehicles using Merseyside's roads. Officers have also visited vulnerable people
and delivered leaflets, and offered reassurance and advice. It is vital that
communities are aware how these offenders operate and what can measures can be
taken to stop them."
We have been told that the full results with arrest numbers, vehicle stops, etc.
will be available very soon. |
