TEXT your pictures, videos and messages to 80360. Start your message with SUPIC or email your tip-offs »
7:46pm Wednesday 21st May 2008
Travelling con-artists and distraction burglars were the target of a massive operation across Sussex today.
Scores of police and Trading Standards officers stopped trucks and vans to try to catch rogue traders while others toured neighbourhoods giving advice to householders.
Every police division in the county carried out spot-checks on groups such as tarmac-layers, roofers and gardeners and people in unmarked traders' vans.
Detectives want to smash the organised groups running distraction burglaries and cons against lone elderly pensioners.
In the latest spate of burglaries five Sussex towns were targeted on Saturday afternoon by people claiming to be either working or helping to deal with a water leak.
The addresses and details of victims are believed to be shared between criminal groups, meaning vulnerable elderly people can end up with repeated cold-calls.
In the last year there have been more than 200 reports of distraction burglaries across the county.
James, West Sussex says...
11:31pm Wed 21 May 08
Gentleman Jim, Brighton says...
12:38am Thu 22 May 08
xxx, roving says...
1:22am Thu 22 May 08
Ronnie, Brighton says...
2:25am Thu 22 May 08
xxx wrote:go and wash yer dreadlocks stinky
But... They are not 'your' streets. You may think you own your house, but you certainly do not own your street. Your house is likely owned by your bank or building society. Beginning to see the joke anyone? Yawn
Chris, Brighton says...
10:01am Thu 22 May 08
Dave, Wivelsfield says...
12:10pm Thu 22 May 08
xxx wrote:What joke, I own my house, the building society even gave me the deeds to look after. I also own all of my cars - which are taxed and insured, I support a number of local and national charities financially and in person, I pay all taxes due (including local taxes for education and social services two services I do not use, never had kids in state education and fortunately in good enough health despite advancing years not to need soc serv) How does this compare to the van residents, their dogs and feral kids?
But... They are not \'your\' streets. You may think you own your house, but you certainly do not own your street. Your house is likely owned by your bank or building society. Beginning to see the joke anyone? Yawn
mal, Brighton says...
12:50pm Thu 22 May 08
Roy Hills, Heathfield says...
12:59pm Thu 22 May 08
Mr No Junk Fraudulent Mail, Sussex says...
2:30pm Thu 22 May 08
Add your comment
Register for a FREE The Argus account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Search for Jobs
Search Now »
Find the right person for you
Search Now »
Search for Homes
Search Now »
Search for Cars
Search Now »
S.T. Rewth, Brighton says...
8:37pm Wed 21 May 08