War was declared in Bradford today on bogus callers and rogue traders as organisations joined forces to beat them.

A free e-mail service, Alert, was being launched to warn people that the crooks are operating and give advice on how to deal with them.

Alert has been devised and funded by the West Yorkshire Consumer Network, made up of organisations including West Yorkshire Police, Age Concern, West Yorkshire Trading Standards, Citizens Advice Bureaux and Neighbourhood Watch.

It comes in the face of increasing reports about door-to-door calling by people who carry out unsatisfactory work, charge exorbitant prices, use threatening behaviour or distract occupants in order to commit burglaries.

Bradford councillor Malcolm Slater, chairman of West Yorkshire Joint Services, which oversees the work of Trading Standards, said: "The underlying aim of Alert is to combat this type of activity by the basic principle that prevention is better than cure.

"The more people we get the information to, the closer we are to beating the bogus callers and rogue traders. After all, informed consumers are empowered consumers."

Trading Standards will be responsible for Alert day-to-day and officers say information will be e-mailed to people who have registered as users, but they will not be inundated and will only receive details relevant to their areas.

Organisers of the scheme say the bogus callers and rogue traders target one specific area where vulnerable people live then move on to the next.

Much of the information will be provided by the new Consumer Direct service which is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry. Chris Joyce, project manager with West Yorkshire police community safety department, said: "The Alert system will be a powerful weapon in the fight to reduce opportunities for bogus callers.

"Colleagues at Trading Standards will be able to deliver valuable information to targeted areas at the touch of a button.

"The new service is an excellent example of how partnership working can benefit the communities of West Yorkshire.

"In addition I would remind all householders not to open their door to anyone they are unsure of and, if in doubt, keep them out."

"Anyone who would like to register for Alert is being asked to send details, including e-mail address and postcode to alert@wyjs.org.uk.

Anyone with information about bogus callers or rogue traders or who would like further information can contact the Consumer Helpline on 0113 384 8848 between 8.30am and 6.30pm from Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.