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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Four held after kitchen firm raid | Four held after kitchen firm raid |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Four people have been arrested after a kitchen company in Greater Manchester was raided in Trading Standards' biggest ever operation. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 'Stop Now' order |
| Officers have also begun a search of the factory and the firm's offices. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Trading Standards has set up a helpline on 08454 040506 for customers who have ordered kitchens through the firm. |