Letter: Whenever we turn on the TV these days we are being subjected to programmes warning us of falling foul of cowboy builders, decorators, plumbers and the like. Now the general public don't trust anybody anymore.
Looking for a job in the West Midlands? Want to do so on the move? Why not check out the Home of Jobs app, powered by the Express & Star.
Rogue motorists using north Shropshire's roads are to be targeted in a major crackdown spanning three counties, it emerged today.
Six cars were towed away from streets near Walsall Manor Hospital as a crackdown on rogue parkers was stepped up.
Ten people were arrested and 16 vehicles seized during an operation to crack down on Mid Wales rogue traders, police say. Ten people were arrested and 16 vehicles seized during an operation to crack down on Mid Wales rogue traders, police say. The joint operation between police, Trading Standards and the Environment Agency saw more than 140 vehicles stopped and checked in the Dyfed Powys Police area between April 19 and 23. Four of the 10 people were arrested for allegedly being directly related to rogue trading activity. Of the vehicles stopped 16 were seized for motoring offences.
A convicted rogue trader who cold-called at the home of a vulnerable pensioner from the Black Country causing him "alarm and distress" has been jailed.
A rogue businessman who rented unlicensed and unsafe vehicles to prom and party-goers has been banned from driving and ordered to pay almost £9,000 – after being caught out in a council sting.
Around 100 illegal car washes are operating around the Black Country as the number of rogue businesses continues to grow, the Express & Star can reveal today.
Shropshire rogue pie-seller Paul Rye transferred £250,000 made through criminal activities into a Canadian bank so he could start a new life abroad, a court heard today. Shropshire rogue pie-seller Paul Rye transferred £250,000 made through criminal activities into a Canadian bank so he could start a new life abroad, a court heard today. Self-confessed "compulsive liar" Rye, 47, from Lower Fold, Dorrington, appeared in Shrewsbury Crown Court after admitting 13 fraud charges and asking for 43 offences to be taken into account. He was jailed for five years. The offences breached a conditional discharge he was given by Shrewsbury magistrates on February 4, 2008, for selling hundreds of pies bought at a factory, falsely claiming they were home-made. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Householders in Shrewsbury have been warned about a gang of rogue traders operating in Bayston Hill after they targeted an 86-year-old woman. She was given an initial quote to have her drive resurfaced. Householders in Shrewsbury have been warned about a gang of rogue traders operating in Bayston Hill after they targeted an 86-year-old woman. She was given an initial quote to have her drive resurfaced. But trading standards officers said £2,000 was demanded on completion - significantly more than she was led to believe would be charged. The men took the elderly woman in one of their vehicles to collect money from the bank to pay for the work - then left her "stranded and confused" in Shrewsbury town centre after she handed over the cash. Officers said the quality of the work was very poor. Two men were arrested in connection with the incident and have been released on bail pending inquiries. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
The recession could lead to more rogue traders and loan sharks operating in Shropshire, trading standards officials have warned. Watch our video here.
A rogue scrap dealer landed a Hednesford homeowner in court after 18 bin bags of rubbish were found dumped.
A rogue Black Country electrician continued to carry out work despite facing jail for his shoddy workmanship, it was revealed today.
Two rogue car clampers who preyed on motorists in the Midlands have failed in a bid to overturn their jail sentences.
A rogue West Midland electrician has been jailed for two years after putting customers in peril with shoddy work just months after finishing a prison sentence for a carbon copy offence.
