Police are warning residents to be on the lookout for rogue traders who are charging excessive amounts of money for minimal or low grade building work. 

Police have been alerted to incidents of rogue traders operating in various locations in Devon and Cornwall. The most recent reports in Cornwall have taken place in St Austell and Newquay on Thursday 20 July. 

A resident in Newquay was called on by 2 males of Irish origin who were driving white transit vans, they are believed to have charged an elderly resident in excess of £40000 for minimal and substandard building work. These persons are also believed to have caused some minor damage to the resident’s property and asked for a large amount of cash to rectify the problem. They stated they worked for a legitimate building company located in Cornwall.  Enquiries with this company established they had no staff working in the Newquay area. 

A St Austell resident was called on by 2 white males, 40s in age, driving a white transit van and told the resident that the gutters needed clearing or repairing and they took down part of the guttering 

We would like to remind residents that we advise not to have any work carried out by unsolicited cold callers as the risks are high, prices could be excessive, end up costing more than first agreed, and may not be of a quality standard. If you need work carrying out we advise you take time to get quotes from reputable businesses you trust and make your decision in your own time. 

Please do not let strangers in to your property. Please inform neighbours of this, particularly elderly and vulnerable.

If you see cold callers in the area, or have any information that may relate to this please phone 101 quoting log 255 24 July 2017. If you feel pressured by cold callers please close the door and call the police on 999. Thank you