Advice issued following gutter clearance scam in Bishop’s Stortford

Police are issuing advice after residents in Bishop’s Stortford were targeted by a suspected rogue trader offering gutter clearance and other services.

It was reported that a white man, driving a grey van, was cold calling at addresses in town during August, offering to clean gutters and undertake roofing repairs for £400.

Upon returning to one address in the Thorley area, the man then stated that was only a deposit and demanded more money from the homeowner. When the occupant queried this, remarking on the poor quality of the work carried out, the man became threatening and aggressive before leaving.

Police also received a report from another resident in the Thorley area, stating that a man had carried out work at her property. He then entered her home and aggressively demanded substantially more money than had been originally quoted.

Feeling concerned for her safety after the man refused to leave until he was paid, the woman gave the man her bankcard and he withdrew £250 from her account.

PCSO Lucy Townsend, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “These incidents were extremely frightening for the victims. Rogue traders will often prey on the elderly and vulnerable and use intimidating and dishonest tactics to obtain money.

“We’ve conducted house to house visits alongside our older persons liaison officers and the council, to provide advice and reassurance. Trading Standards have also been informed.

“Our enquiries are now continuing to establish whether the incidents are linked and to identify a suspect.

“If you have any information which may assist or if you’ve recently been approached in similar circumstances, please get in touch. We’d be especially keen to hear from anyone who may have captured doorbell camera or CCTV footage of a man knocking on doors and offering these services.

“In the meantime, we’d ask people to please remain vigilant. Our advice would be to never agree to having any work done by someone who cold calls at your home and instead do your research to find a reputable company. Please share this advice with friends, relatives and neighbours to help spread the word.”

The Constabulary offers the following advice which residents may wish to consider:

▪️ 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.