POLICE and trading standards officials have joined forces to disrupt the activities of rogue traders.

Officials carried out joint patrols and roadside checks on vehicles across Hambleton on Wednesday as part of a national enforcement day.

Operation Rogue Trader was aimed at areas where residents have been cold-called and then charged for unnecessary work.

Mobile police stations were situated in Northallerton High Street and Thirsk Market Place to provide guidance and advice to the public.

Another four trading standards and police teams combed the Easingwold, Thirsk, Northallerton and Stokesley areas.

Fifty-five builders, workers and tradespeople were questioned, and 82 vans and trucks checked, and intelligence gathered by Automatic Number Plate Recognition units is being analysed for future operations.

Sergeant Sarah Jane Sanderson, who co-ordinated the operation, said: "The main effect of all this high-visibility action has been to seriously disrupt the activity of rogue traders across Hambleton, and to send a very clear message that Trading Standards and ourselves are on to their game and are willing to put considerable resources into making it clear they are not welcome in North Yorkshire."

The Northern Echo and trading standards launched the Doorstoppers campaign in 2003 with the aim of combating doorstep crime. A report issued in January by North Yorkshire County Council showed the number of residents visited by doorstep traders had dropped by 22 per cent since the campaign was launched