Complaints rise over bogus calls

Property repairs, maintenance and services were the main problem, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all complaints.

And a high number of the consumers who were targeted were elderly people, with pensioners making up more than half of the victims.

The statistics from North Yorkshire were announced as the Doorstoppers campaign, spearheaded by The Advertiser's sister paper The Northern Echo, continued to gain momemtum.

Backed by trading standards, police and local authorities, the campaign aims to stamp out the scourge of doorstep selling and has already been taken up in parliament. A special telephone helpline run by trading standards in North Yorkshire received almost 300 doorstep-selling complaints last year compared to just over 100 previously.

A new rapid response service has now been introduced to help consumers, particularly older and vulnerable adults, who have been targeted by these rogue traders.

On receiving a complaint where the trader is on site, officers attend immediately so as to assess the work and protect the householder.

Trading standards officers say they are particularly concerned about the number of older consumers falling victim to doorstep criminals. Of the people giving their ages when telephoning the helpline more than half were pensioners.

The Doorststoppers campaign was launched after a survey carried out in North Yorkshire revealed that 98 percent of people did not want such people calling at their homes.

Executive member for trading standards, Carl Les, said the figures clearly showed a real problem existed.

"They also support our call for new laws to ban the cold calling of property repairs and maintenance," he said.

"It is difficult to say whether the increase is due to a rise in criminal activity or greater awareness by the public. Whatever the case the statistics indicate that this is a major community safety problem."

Residents who have problems with doorstep sellers should call 0845 330 3313.