Call for action against rogue traders

9:23am Sunday 11th May 2008

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TRADING standards officers in South Gloucestershire are backing new laws to give consumers more protection against rogue traders.

They want the government to approve the Consumer Protection Regulations, which could come into force as early as May 26.

The new laws, known as Consumer Protection Regulations (CPRs), would signal a clampdown on unfair selling practices by any people and officers in South Gloucestershire hope it would eradicate fraudsters in the area.

Mark Pullin, the council's trading standards and licensing manager, said: "Consumers should be treated honestly and fairly so we welcome the introduction of the CPRs.

"They will provide more protection for consumers and should make it easier for local authorities to take enforcement action against individuals or businesses who may be trading unfairly.

"The CPRs will also benefit honest businesses who presently have to compete with traders who use unfair practices."

The laws follow a survey by the Department for Business which found that 66 percent of people in the South West want a crackdown on misleading sales pitches.

Nine out of 10 people surveyed said they had experienced pushy sales representatives at the door or on the phone and eight out of 10 had been approached repeatedly by the same firm, despite telling them they did not want to hear from them again.

Forty-two per cent of consumers said they had been duped into buying something after being given misleading information.