Police Advise Sprowston Residents To Be Alert For Rogue Traders

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS RELEASE

Gemma Cooper, Communications and Public Affairs
Tel: 01603 276610, Fax: 01603 276004
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Web: www.norfolk.police.uk

Issue Date: 11/06/2009

Police advise Sprowston residents to be alert for rogue traders

Police in the Sprowston area are warning residents to be alert following a recent report of rogue traders in the neighbourhood.

In this instance two rogue traders attended an address along Foxborrow Drive, Sprowston offering to remove rubbish from the victim’s garden for a fee of £30. The money was taken by the rogue traders but the rubbish was left on the path outside of the property.

The first man is described as a white male with brown shaven hair and was wearing jeans and a red t-shirt. The second man is described as a white male with grey collar length scruffy looking hair with grey facial stubble. He was wearing a black long sleeved shirt and black trousers.

The males used a yellow flat bed lorry which had a cage on the back as their transport.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who has information on the above incident or who was also a victim to these men.

Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team have been carried out house to house conduct in the area whilst offering free crime prevention advice. PC Julie Swift said: “With your help we can work together to beat rogue traders and bogus callers and improve the quality of life for local people.

“If you would like to receive a free no calling sticker to use on your front door, to try and prevent such callers, contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team”.

Rogue traders are people who pretend to be builders, gardeners or repair workers. They will pressure or intimidate householders into agreement or simply start work on the home. The work is usually unnecessary, of poor quality and charged at inflated prices.

Often such traders don't provide full names, trading addresses or contact telephone numbers, resulting in it being virtually impossible to trace them if there are any problems with the work or goods - which is all too often the case.

Such traders often ask for cash upfront, and don't offer the entitled 7-day cancellation rights also. Anyone experiencing problems with traders, or needing further advice, can call the national consumer helpline - Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.

Householders are reminded to double check the identity of anyone calling at their home and always ask for
quotes and references before any work on your garden or home is carried out. Always ask for photo identification from any unexpected callers and do not to let anyone in if you are not comfortable with who they are. Councils and utilities companies will generally contact householders by telephone or letter if they plan to carry out repairs rather than make unsolicited calls.

For further information or to speak to the Sprowston and Spixworth SNT call 0845 456 4567 alternatively e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Issued by Gemma Cooper on 11/06/2009 12:08:10