TRADING standards officers in West Yorkshire are stepping up their campaign for a ban on tradespeople `cold calling' at people's doors.
The trading standards department often receives complaints from householders about rogue traders who have charged high prices for shoddy work on their property.
Traders have often initiated work by knocking on doors and persuading people to have jobs carried out.
Now officers have lobbied MPs to tackle doorstep crime and cold calling in a private members' bill which is due to be put to Parliament.
Leeds MP Paul Truswell is leading the campaign in Parliament.
Fifty-five MPs have signed an early-day motion for the Bill, including Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman.
Clr Graham Clarke, chairman of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said: "This is a very important issue and I am delighted that it has now been raised in the House of Commons.
"If we can ban rogue tradespeople from calling at doors, we have made a big step towards preventing consumers being ripped off at home.
"I have personally contacted all West Yorkshire MPs to urge them to support this early-day motion."
Hazel Blears MP, minister for crime reduction, policing and community safety, said it was excellent to have the issue raised in the House of Commons.
She said doorstep conmen exhibited "shocking and despicable behaviour".
Anyone who has experienced problems with tradespeople can ring West Yorkshire Trading Standards' consumer helpline on 0113 384 8848.
