ROGUE traders have been targeted in a national day of action as part of a week-long crime prevention initiative.

Activities ranged from executing warrants, identifying vehicles used by criminals through automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to conducting intelligence-led patrols in areas where older or vulnerable people live.

In the North East, a vehicle checkpoint was set up in South Bank, Middlesbrough, by staff from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit alongside DVLA, HM Revenue and Customs, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s Trading Standards and the Environment Agency.

One vehicle was seized for having no insurance, one driver was dealt with by HM Revenue and Customs for using red diesel and seven prohibitions were issued for various condition and use offences including faulty brakes, lights and tyres.

Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of any doorstep offender or rogue trader should ring their local police or call Crimestoppers, the national charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.