Residents urged to be vigilant after rogue trader reports in Norris Green

Officers investigating following rogue trader incidents in the Norris Green area are appealing for information and reminding residents to be vigilant.

Last month, we received reports that three males in a white van were  approaching addresses on Delabole Road, claiming to be from Cobalt Housing and offering to carry out gardening work in exchange for cash.  

We received a further report that, on Sunday 19 November, a male offering gardening work to a resident on Meyrick Road had cut down a tree. He then drove the resident to a cash point on Broadway, made her with draw £1,800 and left her stranded.  

Enquiries into the incidents are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contacted police. 

Detective Sergeant Richie Shillito said: "Suck deception and intimidation is appalling and we're determined to find the people responsible and bring them to justice. 

"If you live in the Norris Green area and have seen or been made aware of any similar approaches recently, please pass on any descriptions, vehicles, CCTV or other information to us and we will do the rest.

"These types of despicable offenders prey on the most vulnerable members of society and often leave a profound and lasting impact on their victims. They may claim that work needs doing on a property which is not even required, and charge an extortionate amount of money to carry out any work, which often does not even get carried out.

"Elderly people, their relatives and friends should always be wary of callers to their address offering any kind of service, however official they may appear. Identification should always be asked for and produced and, if necessary, contact made with the company they claim to work for to verify identities."

There are a number of steps everyone can take to help prevent this type of crime and they include:

Don't keep large quantities of cash at home. It's better in the bank where it's safe

Do not open your door if you are unsure who the caller is. Always make sure you know who visitors are by asking to see their identification. Never let people into your property if you don't know them

Always keep the key chain on the door whilst talking to callers and always check their ID before letting them into your home. Genuine callers won't mind you doing this. If callers haven't got valid identification, don't let them in

Bogus callers often pretend to be someone official, for example, from a utility company or the water board. They will also try to distract people by asking for a drink of water or if they can use the toilet. Remember "if in doubt, keep them out"

Remember to close and lock the back door before you answer the front door. It's a good idea to have a viewer or spy hole and a stout chain fitted to all the external doors to the property

If someone asks for your help (for example, if they want to make a telephone call or claim to have lost a ball in your garden) always ask a friend or neighbour, or someone else you trust, for help

Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of any doorstep offender or rogue trader should ring 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Information can also be provided via their online form: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online.

For advice on dealing with uninvited rogue traders, or bogus callers, to your home, you can also contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0345 404 0506.