THREE men were arrested today in connection with a suspected rogue trader operation believed to have cost taxpayers in Oxfordshire more than £120,000.

Dawn raids were carried out at three properties in Swindon by Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards department and Wiltshire Police.

Officers seized £30,000 in cash, laptop computers and various other documents after searching two of the properties — a house and a business premises.

A total of 18 trading standards officers and ten police officers took part in the raids.

Three men, aged 41, 47, and 52, were arrested in connection with suspected offences including fraud, money laundering and breaches of trading laws.

They were bailed pending further investigations.

The arrests followed a year-long investigation by trading standards during which time they received more than 40 complaints relating to work carried out by a gang of suspected rogue traders.

Of the complainants, ten submitted statements documenting a total loss of £120,000.

Trading standards officer Martin Woodley added: “We believe one particular gang has been responsible for a great many instances of doorstep crime in Oxfordshire. Further inquires will need to be carried out.”