TRADING standards officials have teamed up with a television production company to help crack down on doorstep crime offenders.

North Yorkshire County Council is working with True North Productions and ITV Yorkshire to produce a programme about the authority's rapid response team.

The team has been set up to protect the victims of bogus callers and cowboy builders, and to prosecute those responsible for offences.

In the past year, the team has successfully prosecuted 23 offenders for offences committed in relation to doorstep crime incidents - a 400 per cent increase on the number of prosecutions made in the previous year.

They are currently investigating bogus house repairers who cold-call householders, often elderly or vulnerable people, and offer to do work such as roofing and other building repairs, block-paving, tarmac work and gardening.

The team is interested in traders who make false statements about what work is required, what work has been done and those who excessively overcharge for repairs.

Traders who repeatedly visit victims to carry out different repairs are of particular interest.

Now trading standards officials want to hear from consumers in the Stokesley, Harrogate and Northallerton areas to take part in the TV programme.

Anyone who knows of a friend, relative or neighbour who has had a bad experience with a trader, or has had one themself, is asked to contact Ruth Taylor, on (01609) 768636, or Karen Ward, on (01609) 768639, with details of any incidents.

All calls will be treated in confidence and people contacting the team will not be obliged to take part in the programme.

Graham Venn, head of trading standards, said: "This programme is an opportunity to highlight what we can do for victims of these types of crimes and to bring offenders to court. It will also help us to raise the awareness of the dangers of dealing with doorstep callers."

The Northern Echo and North Yorkshire County Council are among those leading Doorstoppers, a campaign for legislation to stamp out cold calling.