Fight the scourge of rogue traders

Police are reminding people to be wary of rogue traders.

They say these callers will offer to carry out repairs or building works to your home and garden.

Many of the rogue traders will overcharge their victims and provide a poor standard of work.

They often target vulnerable people or people living alone, and can be persuasive.

If they tell you that you need repairs or building work, tell them you will get some quotes for the work from other companies and get back to them.

You should never buy or agree to buy anything at the door, and don’t let a person into your home unless you are sure they are representing a legitimate business.

You can help protect yourself by following the advice below -

Don’t keep large sums of cash at home - use a bank account instead

Talk to the police, the council and voluntary groups in your area - they may have schemes to assist older people with home security and general maintenance

Keep a list of useful numbers by your telephone or saved on your mobile phone - include numbers for your family and the police

If at any point you feel unsure or scared, you should contact the police on 101 (non-emergency) or 999 in an emergency

If you know someone who is carrying out this type of crime you can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.