Four people have been arrested after a kitchen company in Greater Manchester was raided in Trading Standards’ biggest ever operation.
More than 130 Officers stormed the premises of Kitchens at Maple Mill, in Oldham, as well as residential addresses in Ramsbottom and Milnrow.
The firm and its owner Vance Miller have featured on BBC television programmes Rogue Traders and Watchdog.
Four people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.
A 41-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman from Ramsbottom, near Bury, were held, together with a 42-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman from Milnrow, near Rochdale.
‘Stop Now’ order
Officers have also begun a search of the factory and the firm’s offices.
The company, in Cardwell Street, sells cheap kitchens through newspaper adverts, turning over tens of millions of pounds each year.
Trading Standards said it handled between 60 and 100 complaints a week about the firm.
John Rice, service director at Oldham Council, said: “This is a major operation targeted at the UK’s most complained about independent trader.
“However, we recognise that this enforcement action will, potentially, impact upon thousands of UK consumers who are at various stages of dealing with this firm.”
In 2002, the Office of Fair Trading gave Mr Miller the country’s first “Stop Now” order, telling him to stop his rogue trading practices or face prison.
He ignored the warning and spent nine months in jail. The order is a lifetime ban.
Trading Standards has set up a helpline on 08454 040506 for customers who have ordered kitchens through the firm.
From The BBC