Victims of doorstep callers hit again

POLICE and trading standards officers have issued a warning about rogue traders who have begun targeting previous victims.

Householders in North East Lincolnshire who fell victim to doorstep callers who failed to properly carry out work they had been paid for last summer have been contacted again by people with a surprising knowledge of the previous “work”.

The traders appear to know about the job in detail, describe it as “poor quality”, and then offer to do it again at a price.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Residents are being warned to be wary of any workmen who are demanding money up front.

Chief Insp Gerry Darling of Humberside Police said: “This is a particularly nasty type of crime in which professional criminals target the elderly and vulnerable members of our society, and as such Humberside Police treat this as a priority.

“We are totally committed to both preventing members of the public from becoming victims and bringing these criminals to justice. We have an excellent working relationship with trading standards and work together to achieve these objectives.

“I would urge anyone who has any suspicions about callers to their homes, or to neighbours’ homes, or just in the vicinity, to ring the police or trading standards immediately.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun David Bolton, North East Lincolnshire Council’s portfolio holder for community safety and neighbourhoods, added: “These people prey on the vulnerable and elderly in our society. They have no conscience and their only aim is to charge extortionate amounts of money for sub-standard work, leaving stress and upset in their wake, as well as the need for the work to be done again properly.

“Doorstep traders often appear to be very polite and plausible and will try to convince you that you need the work doing. But don’t feel pressured into making an instant decision.

“If you are put into this position, tell them ‘no’.”