Would-be bogus callers are being warned off the streets in Brierley Hill in a joint operation between the police and trading standards officers at Dudley Council.

Dudley police have seen an increase in the number of calls they have received from members of the Hawbush community, in relation to bogus callers and rogue traders cold calling at houses in the area.

Signs are going up in the area warning rogue traders they will be reported if they cold call in the new No Rogue Trader Zone.

Leaflets and door stickers have already been delivered to 300 houses by police advising residents to be aware of the tricksters and signs have been mounted on lampposts in the neighbourhood.

Councillor Stuart Turner, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “The ‘no rogue traders’ campaign is a great example of partnership working through our community safety partnership, Safe & Sound.

“It shows trading standards and the Adult Safeguarding Board working closely with the police to protect and advise residents so they can spot a rogue trader and have the confidence to turn them away.”

“I urge anyone who has suspicions of rogue trader activity to report it by dialling the non-emergency number 101 or by calling the Bogus Caller hotline on 01384 812045.”

Police Community Support Officer Neil Bunting, of the Brierley Hill neighbourhood team, said: “Initiatives like this are really beneficial to our elderly and vulnerable members of the community.

“Working in partnership with Trading Standards has enabled us to flood streets in the area with crime prevention advice and offer reassurance to those that need it.”

Funding to support this scheme has been made available from the Dudley Safe and Sound Partnership, a community safety partnership made up of Dudley Council, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, NHS Dudley and West Midlands Probation Trust.