Bogus workmen in Wealden

As the weather improves at last, people will again be thinking of their gardens as things begin to grow. Sadly this also attracts a much less desirable visitor to our properties – the bogus workman. These people will often target areas where there are elderly residents and who are often bothered by pushy ‘cold callers’ offering to do gardening work, or property maintenance. The work is often extremely poorly carried out and very expensive. Wealden Police advise residents never to accept unsolicited offers to do work from people ‘cold calling’ at doors. Keep an eye on your elderly neighbours and just check that everything is ok.

East Sussex Trading Standards operate a ‘Buy with Confidence’ scheme, where they can provide a list of approved tradesmen and can be contacted on 01323 418215.

If you receive such a call or knock at your door, then stop before you answer the door, put the chain on and check the person’s credentials. If you do not know the caller do not let them in, as once they are in it may be very difficult to get them to leave.

Do not agree to any work where the caller says “we are only in the area today”.

Do not be enticed into hiring the caller on the basis that they will offer you a reduction in price, if you allow them to store their machinery on your property.

Quote from Sergeant Dave Price, “If you are visited by someone offering to do gardening or house maintenance, my advice would be to say “No” and to try and obtain details of the callers and description of their appearance which can then be passed on to the Police along with any description of their transport.”

Quote from Trading Standards, “Do not deal with people who knock on your door offering to do home improvement work or who want to store their equipment on your property. Always use accredited workmen, phone 01323 418215 for further advice”.