Police launch cold calling crackdown

The two-week campaign launches on Monday (April 7), during which officers will revisit repeatedly targeted victims, hold enforcement days and encourage residents to reconsider dealing with cold callers.

It follows the launch of East Renfrewshire trading standards’ Trusted Traders scheme on Tuesday — a council-approved database of registered and reviewed businesses operating in the area.

Inspector Alan Dickson, of Giffnock police station, told The Extra: “We will be participating fully in this operation in order to reduce the number of rogue traders and doorstep crimes happening in the area.

“East Renfrewshire police are working closely with trading standards on the Trusted Traders scheme, and encouraging legitimate traders signed up to it to be our eyes and ears out on the streets.

“We’ve also had success with local banks in dealing with doorstep crimes, so we’re coming at the problem from all angles.”

East Ren officers deal with a high volume of rogue trader incidents, and inspector Dickson attributes it to a large elderly population, who may be seen as vulnerable.

He added: “East Renfrewshire is an affluent area, so there’s an availability of money too.

“As always we urge residents not to engage with cold callers — and to report any suspicious activity to us on 101.”

For more info on the operation, follow @EastRenPolice on Twitter.