A CRACKDOWN on bogus callers and rogue traders has started in this area.
The campaign has been launched by the West Yorkshire Consumer Support Network.
Alert, the Early Warning System, is one of four projects devised and paid for by the network.
It will use emails to warn of bogus callers and rogue traders in the county.
It will also spread advice on how to deal with them.
The West Yorkshire CSN consists of Age Concern, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Community Legal Service, First Check Point in Leeds, Neighbourhood Watch, the police, trading standards officials and the White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds.
A spokesman for the scheme said Alert was set up because of a continuing problem with bogus callers and rogue traders calling door to door.
They did unsatisfactory work, charged exorbitant fees and used threatening behaviour.
They also carried out other criminal activities, such as distraction burglaries, the spokesman added.
He went on: "Bogus callers and rogue traders target specific areas, particularly those where the most vulnerable people live.
"They then move to another district to start the process again.
"Alert will enable us to break this chain. `'
The trading standards service will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of Alert.
Information on the activities of bogus callers and rogue traders will be emailed to people who have registered as Alert users.
It will also raise awareness of the tactics of these traders by keeping residents up to date on new scams, particularly those relating to doorstep crime.
Martin Wood, West Yorkshire's Chief Trading Standards Officer, said "Registered users of Alert include Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators, community groups and members of the public, enabling us to get the information about doorstep criminals into the community promptly."
Clr Tony Brice, a member of the West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee, which oversees the work of trading standards, said: "The underlying aim of Alert is to combat this type of activity through the basic principle that prevention of better than cure.
"The more people we get information to, the closer we are to beating the bogus callers and rogue traders.
"Informed consumers are empowered consumers."
ANYONE can register for Alert - members of the public, groups, charities, public authorities etc, and it is free.
If you would like to register, send your details, including your email address and the first part of the postcode for the area or areas that you would like to receive information on, to alert@wyjs.org.uk
If you have any information about bogus callers or rogue traders, or would like further information, phone the Consumer Helpline on 0113 3848 848 Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6.30pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.
