Four arrested in connection with suspected rogue trading in Bishop’s Stortford

Four men were arrested in Bishop’s Stortford on Tuesday (27 August) as part of an investigation into rogue trading.

Police were recently contacted after a resident suspected they had been targeted by fraudsters who had offered to carry out unnecessary and overpriced works on their home, totalling around £25,000.

Local officers worked alongside the Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit to investigate the circumstances and identify any suspects.

Police attended the victim’s address yesterday and four men - aged 29, 30, 55 and 56 - were subsequently arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation. They have been bailed while investigations continue.

A rogue trader is someone who cold calls at a resident’s door, often the elderly, and offers to do work on their home or garden which is either unnecessary or vastly over-priced. Offenders can damage property deliberately to obtain money, leave work unfinished and use intimidating behaviour to extort money.

Residents may wish to consider the following advice:

▪️ Never agree straightaway to having work done on your house or garden by anyone who knocks on your door. Take their information and contact Hertfordshire Trading Standards first to check their legitimacy or contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service for advice.

▪️ If work does need to be done, obtain quotes from several companies before parting with any cash. These quotes should be provided in a written form with a notice explaining your right to cancel.

▪️ If the services offered cost over £42, the trader must advise you that you have 14 days to cancel the contract and must not start work until after this period, unless you sign a notice agreeing to waive this right.

If you witness behaviour which you believe is suspicious, call 999 straight away, with as much information as you can – descriptions of workers and vehicles will help.

For advice and information, members of the public should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06, or visit Citizens Advice or Trading Standards.