LOCAL policing team officers in Longlevens have been giving out packs that will help protect residents from rogue traders.

It comes on the day an elderly local resident reported that two local youngsters had charged £600 for clearing some rubbish and laying stone in her garden. After clearing the rubbish and receiving the money they failed to return to complete the job.

Police Community Support Officers Steph Lawrence, Matt Addinall and Michael Whitehead visited houses in Oxstalls Lane, Oxstalls Way and Beechcroft Road today to warn people of such cases and will be continuing to knock on doors over the next couple of days.

So far over 150 packs, which include information on methods rogue traders use and a letterbox sticker to deter cold callers, have been given out.

PCSO Lawrence said: "We want to let the community know, particularly the more vulnerable residents, that it's okay to say no to doorstop traders.

"Once you say to them that you aren't interested they should not return to you. If they do they could be committing offences.

"There's plenty of advice on the crime reduction pages of www.gloucestershire.police.uk if people want to look at that too.

"Trading Standards are supporting this operation and we would advise people to speak to that organisation as well for guidance."