June 15, 2017 10.45 am This story is over 84 months old

Police appeal after rogue traders target Skegness residents by offering to do gardening work

Police are warning residents to be vigilant after two people in Skegness were targeted by rogue traders. Two men in a white Transit type van visited addresses in the town offering to do gardening work on June 14. They have then either not carried out the work but still demanded money, or changed the agreed…
Alma Avenue in Skegness. Photo: Google Street View

Police are warning residents to be vigilant after two people in Skegness were targeted by rogue traders.

Two men in a white Transit type van visited addresses in the town offering to do gardening work on June 14.

They have then either not carried out the work but still demanded money, or changed the agreed price by a significant amount.

The men appear to have targeted properties in Lyndhurst Avenue, Alma Avenue, Barnes Road, Lancaster Avenue and Albany Road.

Trading Standards and police are now advising that residents should never have work done by anyone who cold calls.

No reputable trader ever approaches a customer in this way.

They also advise that it is a good idea to display a “No Cold Callers” sticker in a window and turn away any callers, if possible without opening the door.

Any contracts over £42 that are agreed in a customer’s home are subject to 14 day cooling off rights.

The homeowner must be given written information about their right to cancel, about the identity of the trader who is doing the work and the total cost of the work to be carried out.

A statement on a flyer or business card about a 14 day cooling off period is not enough.

If the customer requires the work to start within the 14 day cooling off period, they must authorise this in writing.

Anyone with any information should call PC Emma Dodsworthwould on 101, quoting incident number 89 of June 14.