Good afternoon Resident,

This bank holiday, we bring you the 18th A-Z of Crime Prevention newsletter written by your Neighbourhood Policing Team to raise awareness about common crimes and anti-social behaviour incidents affecting our area. This week – R – we will be looking at rogue trading incidents and explore ways that you can protect yourselves from rogue traders who look to exploit vulnerable people. 

A Rogue Trader is someone who cold calls at a resident’s door, often the elderly, and offers to do work on their home or garden which is either unnecessary or vastly over-priced. Offenders can damage property deliberately in order to obtain money, leave work unfinished and use intimidating behaviour in order to extort money. Unfortunately, elderly and vulnerable people are often targets of rogue traders and we have had reports of residents being conned out of hundreds of pounds by rogue traders who have demanded cash straight away without legitimate paperwork. 

If you are in doubt, take their information and contact Hertfordshire Trading Standards to check their legitimacy - they have a list of accredited workmen. If work does need to be done, then obtain quotes from a number of companies before parting with any cash.  These quotes should be provided in a written form with a notice explaining your right to cancel. You can visit their website by clicking here: Find your local Trading Standards office - GOV.UK. 

If you witness behaviour which you believe is suspicious, call 999 straight away, with as much information as you can – descriptions of workmen and vehicles will help.

If you live near to any vulnerable or elderly residents, please look out for them and contact police immediately if you think they may be being targeted.

You can read about an example of a recent rogue trading incident which occurred in Hertfordshire in February 2025 by clicking here: Two arrested on suspicion of rogue trading in Berkhamsted | Hertfordshire Constabulary. 

I’ve collated some useful crime prevention tips directly from the Action Fraud website below: 

1. Don’t sign on the spot

Don’t feel pressured to agree on the spot- if you are interested in what they are selling, you can ask them to come back at another time that is more convenient for you, maybe when you have someone else with you or you’ve shopped around.

2. Check the trader’s identity

Always ask for an identity card and look up the organisation to check the salesperson’s identity is genuine. Don’t use the number on their card. Check if the trader is a member of a reputable trade body, like the Direct Selling Association, whose members should ensure their salespeople sell responsibly.

3. Be wary of special offers or warnings about your home

Don't get taken in by sales banter or high-pressure selling techniques. Don’t be hurried into a decision even if there is a discount. The discount might be on a price that is too high in the first place.

4. Always shop around for the best price

Check with other companies offering the same product first. Make sure the price and product is right for you.

5. Read the small print

Always read documents carefully before you sign them and make sure you fully understand your rights. It’s best to ask salespeople to call back so you can do this in your own time – don’t be rushed into signing before you feel ready.

6. Double check the facts

Make sure you fully understand the total costs of the transaction – including estimates, delivery and installation and the arrangements for after-sales servicing, such as the guarantees or warranties. Only agree to make a purchase once you’re entirely satisfied that the transaction is acceptable.

7. Talk to someone you trust for a second opinion

Take the time to talk to someone you trust – for example your family, a friend or carer – before you sign anything.

8. Don’t hand over a cash deposit

Avoid handing over money before work is started. A reliable trader will never ask you to do this (even if they need materials). Never agree to go with a trader to the bank to take money out.

9. Think very carefully before you agree to a trader starting any work straight away

If you agree to have any work done or goods delivered within the seven day cooling-off period, you may have to pay if you later change your mind and cancel the contract.

          10. Trust your instincts

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Thank you for reading. I hope you’ve enjoyed your bank holiday weekend! Next week, I will be discussing Stop and Search. In anticipation of next week’s discussion, if you have any questions about the use of Stop and Search in Hertfordshire / St Albans District, please don’t hesitate to ask us by replying to this message.

All the best, 

PC Fiona Hitchcock