Warning: Possible rogue traders in your area

Dear Resident,

On Friday, we received a report from a bank in the city centre with concerns for a man who had come to withdraw £300 for some men who had escorted him to the bank.

The men had initially approached the victim at his home in Millfield last month, offering to cut his hedge back. After the work was completed, they returned and told the man the neighbours had complained about rats coming from his garden, and offered to get rid of them for him.

He told officers that the men had walked him to numerous banks in the city centre, and over the course of the month, he had lost approximately £14,000. 

A crime has been raised for fraud and an investigation is ongoing.

Door-to-door scammers such as these are known as ‘rogue traders’, and they will try to charge a lot of money for goods or services that are either not delivered or are very poor quality. These individuals are often highly sophisticated and anyone can fall victim to this.

If someone knocks on your door and offers any services, you can ask for proof of ID and phone the business via a number you find online to verify their identity. More information on door-to-door scams can be found on our website.

If you suspect you have been approached by a rogue trader, please contact us by calling 101 or online. If a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger, please call 999.

Kind regards,