Lincolnshire Trading Standards officers are asking residents in the county to be aware of bogus callers offering to resurface their driveways.
Both the authority and Lincolnshire Police have received reports of traders pretending to be council road workers selling left-over tarmac at a low price.
These people are not from the council or a council contractor, and a professional would not engage in this activity.
Warning signs of scams include not telling you the upfront cost, only accepting cash, offering too good to be true deals and using unmarked vehicles.
Angela Kane, senior trading standards officer, said: “With the weather getting warmer, more and more people are starting to tidy up their gardens and driveways.
“This provides plenty of opportunities for dodgy dealers to con residents into buying their services, whether this be mowing lawns, resurfacing driveways or creating pathways, amongst others.
“Just this week, we’ve been contacted by a number of Lincolnshire residents who have been pressurised into paying for shoddy driveways completed by rogue traders pretending to be from the council.
“Common tactics used by these rogue traders have included professional-looking advertising, cold-calling, and high-pressure selling.”
Paul Coathup, assistant director of highways and transportation at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “It’s disgraceful that these fraudsters are masquerading as council officers to trick members of the public.
“It goes without saying that Lincolnshire County Council’s road maintenance teams would never engage in activity like this and neither would our contractors. Anyone working for the council will have an ID that verifies who they are.
“I would urge people to check the ID of doorstep callers and contact the police and trading standards if they are suspicious.”
Trading Standards advises people to get written quotes to compare, always use reputable companies that are recommended or a part of an approved trader scheme, and never feel pressured to buy.
If you are approached by someone trying to sell tarmac, note their description and vehicle details and report it to Lincolnshire Trading Standards on 01522 782341.
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Large tailbacks can be seen in central Lincoln on Thursday, as a lane closure on Tritton Road proves to be a commuter’s nightmare.
The work is being undertaken by Western Power Distribution and is due to finish on Sunday, October 31.
It involves digging works next to Morrisons petrol station on Tritton Road, and closures have been put in place to allow Western Power to complete it safely.
Digging works by the footpath on Tritton Road. | Photo: The Lincolnite
It has resulted in the middle lane of Tritton Road northbound being closed by Morrisons, and then the left lane being closed past the junction for the supermarket.
A lane closure on Tritton Road is causing a traffic headache in the city. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The footpath and cycle lane have also been closed while works take place, with pedestrians using the left lane of the road, which is closed to vehicles, instead.
The pedestrian footpath has also been closed. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The closures have caused congestion issues on Tritton Road throughout Thursday.
The Lincolnite has contacted Western Power Distribution for a statement.
The man who organised the flight which cost footballer Emiliano Sala and Lincolnshire Pilot David Ibbotson their lives has been found guilty of endangering the safety of an aircraft.
David Henderson, 67, of Hotham, East Riding of Yorkshire was found guilty by a majority verdict after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. He also previously admitted trying to arrange the flight for a passenger without permission or authorisation.
Henderson will be sentenced on November 12.
Argentine striker Sala, 28, was involved in a £15 million transfer to Cardiff City from Nantes. He was travelling between the two cities at the time of his death, when the single-engine Piper Malibu plunged into the English Channel.
Ibbotson, 59, also died in the crash in the English Channel in January 2019, although his body was never found.
The flight was set up by Henderson with football agent William “Willie” McKay.
Prosecutors previously said that Henderson acted “recklessly and dangerously” to arrange the flight, while Ibbotson was unqualified to fly the plane. Despite this, Henderson asked him to fly Sala over to Cardiff to complete his transfer to The Bluebirds.
The court also previously heard that in the immediate aftermath of the plane’s disappearance, Henderson text a colleague saying: “Malibu gone missing on way back from France…. Don’t say a word to anyone.”
He also reportedly messaged a colleague saying: “Ibbo has crashed the Malibu and killed himself and VIP pax (passenger). Bloody disaster. There will be an enquiry.”
A 55-year-old man has been arrested after two people were injured in an alleged domestic assault incident in Grantham.
Police were called to reports of an assault involving three people at a property on Manchester Way in Grantham at 9.51pm on Wednesday, October 27.
A woman in her 50s was seriously injured in the incident and a man in his 20s suffered minor injuries.
The 55-year-old man who was arrested near to the scene in connection with the incident remains in custody, where he is helping officers with their enquiries.
The force said they are not looking for anyone else in connection to this incident, but a police presence will remain in the area for the rest of Thursday, October 28 while officers carry out enquiries.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or via email at [email protected] quoting incident 424 of October 27.
Alternatively, it can be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online here.
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