Two day multi-agency operation to combat doorstep crime carried out in Inverness and Fort William

Issued by Police Scotland

As part of ongoing efforts to help keep people safe from doorstep crime and its associated criminal activity, on Wednesday 24 September and Thursday 25 September 2014, officers from Police Scotland, VOSA, SEPA and Highland Council Trading Standards, carried out a high visibility operation in both Inverness and Fort William.

This operation saw a large number of commercial vehicles being stopped and checked by officers from the various agencies. The operation aimed to combat those in our communities who use their employment/business activities to commit offences. Such activity impacts on employees, legitimate businesses, the environment and the general public of the Highlands.

During the operation a number of offences were detected which included drugs possession, road traffic offences, trading practices offences, environmental offences and benefit fraud. A number of people will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.

As a result of the two day operation twelve vehicles were immediately prohibited from the roads due to their dangerous condition.
Members of the public who were spoken to during this operation are thanked for the co-operation and patience.

Police Scotland will continue to work with partner agencies to detect and deter those involved in targeting the vulnerable public with their bogus-type workmen practices.

If anyone has information relating to any individual involved in bogus-type working practices they are urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

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26 Sep 2014