Jubilee Event Guide
Crime Alert: Rogue Traders
There is a heightened risk over the next week of offences involving rogue traders and bogus officials. This is because of an event in the north being held during this weekend.
Last Wednesday there were three incidents in the south of the city involving rogue traders. In the first it was claimed that there was a ball stuck in a gutter. The householder told them to go away. The other two were very disturbing. In one a man heard the offenders removing tiles from his roof. They charged him £750 to fix it. In the third incident a man found the offenders knocking his rear wall down. They charhed him £1500 to repair it. They said that they needed to hire a machine to do the job. They took him to his bank and removed his life savings, over £7,000, to 'hire' the machine.
Pay heed to any traders cold calling with jobs that need doing. If damage is being committed, do not hesitate - ring 999.
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Problem: A bogus trader
Problem: A bogus trader carried out some roofing work at an elderly man’s property in Stoke on Trent. The trader ‘accidentally’ knocked a bucket of water over the householder. They then told the man that the water was contaminated and advised him to take a shower. Whilst he was in the shower, they stole £700 from his property.
Possible Action: This is a scam. Be very wary of employing traders who cold call. Never take their word for it that work needs doing; it may not. If you are unsure whether a trader is bogus, contact Trading Standards for advice.
You can contact the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Trader Register on 01785 330888 for details of local traders in your area. The Register has been set up to help consumers locate home improvement traders in the county. Whilst the Trader Register is not an approval scheme, consumers can use this scheme to find a trader who has made a commitment to fair, honest trade and providing good customer service.
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