News Record amount saved by Oxfordshires doorstep crime team Oxfordshire Trading Standards has saved more than 250,000 for the victims of rogue traders in the past 12 months. This is the largest amount of money ever saved by the doorstep crime team since it was established 12 years ago. Working in partnership with Thames Valley Police, banks and other agencies, the team targets rogue traders who prey on the vulnerable and elderly, claiming to be legitimate companies. These traders are often not appropriately qualified and the majority of the work they carry out is unnecessary and of poor quality, to the point of being dangerous. The doorstep crime team includes three trading standards officers and a police officer seconded from Thames Valley Police. In the past year, the team has used various methods to catch the rogue traders, including responding to incidents as they occur. Banks and other financial institutions have also been instrumental in securing these savings by reporting suspicious large cash withdrawals, which allows the doorstep crime team to intervene and protect vulnerable people from a wide range of financial abuse. The team continues to work closely with local banks, as well as delivering presentations and educational events to community groups to raise awareness of rogue trader activities and other forms of financial abuse against older people. Martin Woodley, Oxfordshires doorstep crime team leader, said: It is encouraging that the team has increased the savings. However, we need to stay vigilant, as the number of incidents has also risen. Jody Kerman, Oxfordshires trading standards operations manager, said: The figure of 250,000 is a sign of the hard work and dedication shown by the doorstep crime team, supported by other colleagues and partner organisations. We are also grateful to the victims who come forward, and to neighbours and family members who help us to identify situations of concern. unsafe cooking utensils lead to conviction the company, to all matters under the General Product Safety regulations 2005 and the Cosmetic Products Enforcement regulations 2013. Birmingham Magistrates Court fined each of them 3,500 and ordered them to pay a victim surcharge of 170 each. The company was fined 6,000, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of 170 and costs of 2,802. Sajeela Naseer, head of Birmingham Trading Standards, said: This excellent outcome acts as a warning to traders that TSOs are vigilant in protecting consumers. iSToCk.Com / huSEyiNTuNCEr Chaudhrys Cash & Carry, of Birmingham, and its two directors have been fined a total of 15,802 for the possession and supply of unsafe cooking utensils and unlabelled cosmetic products. Birmingham Trading Standards officers (TSOs) seized a number of cooking utensils including rolling pins from the company in March and April 2016, that were found to contain 14 per cent lead. In May this year, the companys directors, Mohammed Zaman Chaudhry and Mohammed Dilpazir Chaudhry, pleaded guilty, alongside Company director jailed for fraudulent trading A roofing company director has been jailed for 27 months for fraudulent trading across Buckinghamshire, following a joint investigation by trading standards and the police. Kumarapan Kunaratnam targeted elderly and vulnerable residents offering roofing work that Aylesbury Crown Court heard was unnecessary, of poor quality and overpriced. Kunaratnam from Harrow was a salesman for Future Homes Development, and sole director of Top Home Roofing and Top Home Group. He admitted three counts of carrying on a business for fraudulent purposes during 2014 and 2015. Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards officers and Thames Valley Police started investigating Kunaratnams activities after a tip-off from the family of one of his eight victims. Kunaratnam cold-called residents and distributed a marketing leaflet about roofing repairs, which contained false claims about the materials used. Then he would price up the job, offer a misleading discount and get a signed contract. No information was given of a cooling-off period or cancellation rights and, by signing the contract, the residents inadvertently waived their statutory cancellation rights. In one case, the customer paid 4,500 for roofing work, but the true cost of the work actually amounted to about 600. In another case, Kunaratnam left such a mess that the residents nephew tried to make a complaint but, when he phoned, he found the company had ceased trading. The work that had been carried out was done so poorly that it was of no worth. Kunaratnam was ordered to pay compensation of 10,000 and banned from being a company director for 10 years. Anne Wight, Buckinghamshire deputy cabinet member for community engagement, paid tribute to the meticulous trading standards and police investigation. She said: This case gives a very clear message that well go to great lengths in striving to make Buckinghamshire a no-go area for doorstep criminals.