Five people were arrested during a week-long operation targeting rogue traders and bogus callers in west Kent.

Officers teamed up with Trading Standards for the initiative, which aimed to educate homeowners around the dangers of accepting work from cold-callers while also acting on intelligence received.

On August 26 officers received a report of a suspicious vehicle in Westerham, the occupants of which were said to be attempting to sell furniture to members of the public.

The vehicle was located and one of the passengers – a 38-year-old man from Dartford – was arrested after being identified as wanted in connection with a robbery in Dartford on July 19.

On August 24 officers patrolling in Swanley stopped a car believed to be linked to distraction burglaries in Bennetts Avenue, West Kingsdown, and Oliver Crescent, Farningham, reported several days earlier.

On both occasions it was reported that elderly victims were told they needed work carried out on their homes, with one telling police she had £200 stolen from her handbag.

The three men inside the car that was stopped, aged 18, 19 and 20, were arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries.

Officers also arrested a 26-year-old man in Knightrider Street, Maidstone, as he was wanted in connection with a number of offences including burglary, criminal damage and theft. He was released on bail pending further enquiries.

In addition to the arrests, police carried out vehicle spot-checks and spoke to a number of traders in relation to the work they were carrying out.

Crime prevention leaflets were also distributed to residential areas of Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Swanley, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells with a high elderly population.

"Bogus callers and rogue traders can rest assured that we will use every tool at our disposal to track you down and put you before the courts" - Det Ch Insp Neil Parker

Det Sgt Tracy Evans said: "We were very pleased with how the operation went and hope our action sends a clear message that rogue traders and bogus callers will not be tolerated.

"We made several arrests and gained valuable information on other people working in the area, and were also able to engage with those vulnerable residents who may be at risk.

"Most people who call at our homes will be genuine but sometimes they turn up unannounced and try to either trick their way inside to steal valuables and money, or offer services or goods. The latter can result in overcharging for unnecessary work, damaging property deliberately, leaving work unfinished or intimidating someone to get money."

Det Ch Insp Neil Parker, head of CID at West Division, added: "Kent Police takes this type of crime very seriously. Law-abiding members of the public should be able to enjoy the comforts of their own home without being targeted by cowardly con artists who prey on the most vulnerable members of society.

"Bogus callers and rogue traders can rest assured that we will use every tool at our disposal to track you down and put you before the courts."