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REACT Team

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The Trading Standards REACT Team

Doorstoppers Rogue traders use bogus calling as a way to catch householders off guard and regularly seek out and target the most vulnerable.

Often, this is via the uninvited 'tradesman' - the type of person who calls unannounced at the door persuading the householder that they need work doing on their roof or driveaway.

These 'workmen' are expert in identifying an elderly person's property and pointing out a supposed problem.

In extreme cases some people have lost the bulk of their savings to these callous bogus callers.

The Trading Standards Team, in partnership with the Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the police, can help. We are available to assist you, a relative or a neighbour if these 'uninvited workmen' call and try to:

  • Convince you to have unnecessary work done
  • pressurise you to part with large sums of money
  • offer to take you to the bank to get ready cash

In the short time the REACT Team has been operational, Trading Standards and police have stopped more than £20,000 reaching the hands of criminals and prevented our residents becoming victims of this underhand and vicious crime. The REACT Team has a high priority response to calls and responds immediately to incidents involving bogus callers.

So how can the REACT Team help?

  • It can disrupt the activities of criminals who prey on the vulnerable especially the elderly
  • Will ensure that doorstep sellers comply with the laws and take enforcement action
  • Will take appropriate action where the law is broken and crime committed
  • Will mediate in disputes between doorstep sellers and residents at home
  • Work in partnership with Crime Prevention Officers and Victim Support to assist victims of this crime
  • Empower our residents in their home to reduce doorstep crime
  • Use intelligence in partnership with the Police and the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams to target these criminals.

So when somebody calls at home when should you call?

  • You are feeling threatened or vulnerable
  • Bogus caller(s) on site
  • Bogus caller(s) due to visit again

Who should you contact for help?

Rapid Response Hotline Numbers:

  • Landline: 020 8708 5270
  • Consumer Direct: 08454 04 05 06
  • If you are in danger call 999

If anyone would like further information regarding any of the above issues, please contact Redbridge Contact Centre on tel:0208 7085716, or email public.protection@redbridge.gov.uk.  For anyone wanting a Doorstep Calling Retricted Zone in their area, please contact either the Trading Standards Team on the above or call your local Safer Neighbourhood Team Officers. For more consumer advice please email or call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

A leaflet has also been devised (PDF 464KB), which gives residents a number to call to obtain details of reputable traders who have met standards and who will not seek to con their customers.