A CRACKDOWN on doorstep criminals and bogus callers has led to the discovery of 15 previously unknown conmen preying on elderly and vulnerable Oxfordshire householders.

Police and trading standards made four arrests and handed out 13 ‘two-strikes-and-you’re-out’ warnings to doorstep criminals during the week-long rogue trader operation.

During the campaign which ran from May 18-22, extra police and trading standards officers flooded the county, scouring recognised bogus caller hot-spots.

They confronted 15 people – believed to be rogue traders operating in the area – who were previously unknown to police.

They also arrested four traders, including one for fraud, and found seven vehicles being illegally used by tradesmen.

Thirteen written warnings were issued for trading illegally, which means they can be prosecuted next time they get caught going door to door by police.

Martin Woodley, doorstep crime leader, said: “It confirms what we already knew, that there is so much out there which goes unreported and not everyone is getting in touch with us.

“We know we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Finding another 15 people enables us to pass this information to other agencies and police forces.

“They will probably steer clear of Oxfordshire now we’ve come across them.

“We know from experience that just a handful of offenders can be responsible for a huge number of doorstep crime incidents, which means that any new intelligence can have a significant impact on our ability to tackle the problem and protect communities.”

It is estimated that rogue traders have conned their way to £1m across the county over the past year.

More than 100 businesses working at the homes were checked and visited during the crackdown.

Arrests were made for fraud, drink-driving and selling without a licence. One individual who was rounded up was also suspected of benefit fraud.

Four tradesmen’s vans and trucks were stopped for operating without a waste carrier licence.

Three trade vehicles were also stopped for being overloaded.

Nigel Strick, head of trading standards, said: “We have also had some really good feedback from many of the honest traders we have spoken to, who are only too pleased to see us out on the look-out for those who give their profession a bad name.”

Trading Standards can be called on 0845 051 0845