Two rogue traders who conned elderly couples in Norfolk and Suffolk out of their life savings are featured in the BBC television series Dirty Tricks of the Tradesmen this morning.
The series, now in its third week, will be broadcast at 11am and features DC Steve Moseley, from the Operation RADAR team, discussing the case of Michael Williams and Anthony Field.
Williams and Field, both from the Lowestoft area, admitted earlier last year to conning elderly residents out of thousands of pounds by encouraging them to have home improvements carried out but then never completing the work.
Williams, of Westland Road, admitted three counts of conspiracy to defraud and was jailed for eight years.
Field, of Chaulkers Crescent, Carlton Colville, near Lowestoft, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to six years imprisonment.
On several occasions Field drove the residents to cash points in order to get large sums of money, more than what was required for the work being carried out.
Williams and Field targeted more than 30 homes in the Yarmouth and Waveney area and conned residents out of a more than �65,000.
Det Sgt Pete Jessop, from Norfolk Constabulary's specialist door-step-crime team Operation RADAR, said: 'Williams and Field preyed on vulnerable people and the sentences passed reflect the gravity of their offences.
'We were extremely pleased that an Operation RADAR investigation was used on a BBC programme because it highlights that these crimes do take place in the county and people can learn from seeing them depicted on national daytime television.
'It also reflects the good work that the county is continually undertaking to tackle rogue traders.
Det Sgt Jessop added: 'With the national Operation Rogue Trader week, which is taking place at the moment, focusing on such issues, our advice to householders, especially the elderly, would be to remain vigilant and be wary of anyone turning up on their doorstop unannounced who cannot provide credible identity documents.
'People can help us by calling the police straight away if they have been approached by anyone they are suspicious of so we can catch the culprits red handed. If the caller is legitimate, this can also be quickly confirmed.'
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