Police say doorstep crime can take a variety of forms

Officers have been working alongside trading standards staff and the Department of Work and Pensions in the Five Days of Action campaign.

Plain clothes and uniformed officers have been on patrol across the city, where they were working to gather intelligence and track down offenders.

The crackdown began on Monday and by Wednesday, 56 people and 29 vehicles had been stopped and checked.

Five people were reported for benefit fraud. Police made one arrest on warrant.

Bogus workmen are more commonly found to operate in the summer months, when better weather and longer days results in a rise in gardening and building work.

This operation has demonstrated our determination to detect, report and reduce crimes involving bogus workmen Det Sgt Donald Hossack Lothian and Borders Police

The police say that while the majority of these tradesmen are legitimate, there are those who have no skills or qualifications; claim benefit while working, and target elderly and vulnerable people.

They charge large sums of money for little or no work, or excessive amounts for unnecessary work.

Very often these bogus workmen will approach their victim through a "cold call", visiting them without warning.

It is also known that they will take the opportunity to use distraction methods to steal property, and extort money through threatening behaviour.

Potential victims

They are willing to travel long distances in teams or pairs, and often exchange information on potential victims.

Det Sgt Donald Hossack, from Lothian and Borders Police, led the operation.

He said: "This operation has demonstrated our determination to detect, report and reduce crimes involving bogus workmen, as well as allowing Trading Standards and the Department of Work and Pensions to identify breaches of legislation unique to them.