Video competition launched to protect citizens from doorstep crime
News from our partners Trading Standards Institute
The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) is calling on all amateur videographers, media students, filmmakers and directors to create a 90-second “Good Neighbours Stop Rogue Traders” informational video. The video should be designed to encourage friends, family, neighbours and carers to help protect vulnerable citizens against doorstep crime. Creators of the winning video will receive a £1,000 prize.
The competition was launched by broadcaster and journalist Lynn Faulds Wood at TSI’s annual conference. Winners will be announced during this year’s TSI National Consumer Week campaign to raise awareness in communities of rogue traders, and encourage them to look out for each other.
Jenny Willott, Consumer Minister, said:
“I have seen first-hand the distress that rogue traders cause their victims and the devastating impact that it can have on their lives. Video is a brilliant way to raise awareness of this important issue, and is another weapon in the war on dodgy traders who prey on the most vulnerable people in our communities. I urge amateur videographers, media students and others to take up the challenge and help stop people from falling foul of this type of crime.”
As part of the “Good Neighbours Stop Rogue Traders” campaign, competition participants will create a video encouraging people to prevent elderly and vulnerable neighbours, family and friends from falling victim to exploitative doorstep traders.
Leon Livermore, TSI chief executive, said:
“This is a great opportunity for creative minds to join trading standards in promoting our key messages and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities. Every year there are as many as 170,000 incidents in the UK where rogue traders try to illicitly solicit money from consumers in their home. Not only does this impact an individual’s financial well-being, it affects their mental and physical health. The “Good Neighbours Stop Rogue Traders” video competition is a great opportunity to use the creative capital in this country to help protect some of our most vulnerable citizens.”
The deadline for entries is midnight Wednesday 1 October 2014. All videos will be considered for a place in the semi-final. Semi-finalists will be announced on Monday 20 October 2014. The videos will then be judged by a panel of industry and media experts including Faulds Wood and National Consumer Federation President Mary McAnally.
The winner will be announced at the beginning of National Consumer Week on Monday 3 November 2014, and will receive £1,000 and have their video played by trading standards officers and community partners across the country as part of an educational campaign.
To enter, visit the TSI “Good Neighbours Stop Rogue Traders” page: http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/events/VideoCompetition.cfm.
For further information, to arrange an interview or to obtain photographs please contact the Trading Standards Institute on 0845 608 9439 or ivyh@tsi.org.uk, or follow the TSI Conference via our Twitter feed at @tsi_UK #TSICONF.
For rules and more information on the competition, please visit http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/events/2014.cfm.
