Trading Standards officers in Oxfordshire have admitted they are almost sinking under the weight of rogue trader reports, but insist they are winning the war against the con artists.

The Oxford Mail joined teams on the beat last week as they targeted dodgy builders, roofers and gardeners, who are circling on the elderly and vulnerable.

It came as figures revealed that victims in our county were scammed out of £736,000 between 2009-10, compared with £201,000 between 2007-08.

About £850,000 was taken from people in Oxfordshire between 2008-09 – with £500,000 swindled out of one unsuspecting victim in just one sting.

There were 409 reports of conmen last year, compared to 266 the year before, and 270 the year before that.

But Martin Woodley, Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards Doorstep Team Leader, said the rising figures were down to more people being aware of conmen than in the past.

He insisted officers were managing to intercept rogue traders and prevent elderly and vulnerable people from becoming repeat victims.

He said: “We are almost sinking with rogue trader investigations at the moment, but we will cope. Normally, the police would have considered them civil disputes, but now they are on the ball.

“We have really raised awareness and officers are forwarding the cases on to us. This means cases can now be treated as fraud which, itself, has led to a number of high-profile scammers winding up behind bars.”

Mr Woodley added: “People are more aware of them than they were 10 years ago too because they have seen some of the previous results we have had in the papers.”

Crews were on the street last week hunting for conmen in the run-up to last Wednesday’s Rogue Trader Day.

During the crackdown, the teams stopped 103 people who they thought could be suspicious, and arrested two pedlars in Sonning Common, who were operating without a licence.

Three overweight vehicles in Standlake, Banbury, and Didcot, were spotted, and six van drivers were questioned about not having waste licences.

Mr Woodley said big-hitting fraudsters were being run out of the county. He added: “We are not getting the big sums of money being taken that we had been seeing. We are getting involved with the police and are intervening a lot more.

“Victims call us and we wait at their homes for when the traders come to collect their money.”

Officers have managed to stop victims paying out – or have clawed back – more than £122,000 of the total paid to rogue traders last year.

Mr Woodley added: “We share intelligence from around the country. We had a man arrested in East Sussex who was wanted in Oxford for possible fraud. He had tried to charge £11,500 for doing work on someone’s roof in Littlemore, about five months ago.

“The best result, though, was in Grove, near Wantage. Rogue traders had already taken £217 from an elderly gentleman and had tried to get another £500 out of him for doing very little work – but we intervened before it could happen.

“The victim was 82 years old, and all they had done was clean the driveway, and paint it with black tar; it was very odd.”

Oxfordshire county and Oxford city councillor Saj Malik said different approaches were needed to tackle the issue. He said: “Rogue traders are shameful, especially as older people are targeted, and a message must be sent out that we are looking for them.”

Mr Malik, who is responsible for safer communities at the city council, added: “It is safe to be vigilant.

“People need to make sure traders are legitimate rather than taking the word of some random person who knocks at the door.”

Penny Thewliss, deputy chief executive of Age UK Oxfordshire, said: “Rogue traders pose a persistent threat to older people.

“Our advice to older people would be to not be pressured into making any payments – particularly in cash – or signing any documents until you have had a chance to think about things, or discuss it with family or friends.

“Don’t let yourself be rushed and don’t be afraid to ask a salesman to leave. If they refuse, call the police.”

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk

How to spot the cheats * Somebody who knocks at your door and has a polite, friendly but insistent manner while selling his services.

* They may say “I’m working in your area and noticed that your drive/roof needs urgent attention”.

* Often they quote a low price without looking at the work required and then charge a higher price at the end of the job.

* They tell you that they have got some asphalt, or other materials, left over from another job.

* They state that the work required to your property is urgent and they can repair it straight away.

* They rarely give any paperwork, but if they do there is often no address and the details on it are vague or fictitious.

* Although the quote may be reasonable, often the work will be poor or non-existent. In most instances the cost is vastly increased at the end of the job.

* Fear and intimidation can be used to ensure that the victim pays – even to the extent of being escorted to the bank to withdraw cash.

* To report rogue traders, call trading standards on 08450 510845.