AN ALERT has been issued by police after a rogue trader incident in Stroud.

Officers from Gloucestershire Police have released a statement after a incident recently took place in the Paganhill area. 

A police spokesperson said in a community alert: “We are aware of an incident of a rogue trader offering immediate gardening work / roof maintenance.

“The trader has conducted gardening work/roof work at the home of a elderly resident that is of a poor standard and charged a large amount of money.

“It is unclear if any work has been completed at all.

“Typically a rogue trader will call at the door uninvited offering to carry out work that is poor quality, unfinished and often unnecessary.

“Rogue traders are often opportunistic, unscrupulous and often very convincing .

“Rogue traders often initially quote low prices but then demand more money and very often  the work they claim needs doing is completely unnecessary.

“They often target elderly and vulnerable members of our community. Some will not take no for an answer and insist on a contract being signed. 

“Rogue traders will often demand cash or money upfront. Or what we have seen recently is attending with a portable card machine insisting on payment being taken. 

They added: “The simplest way to reduce the risk is not to engage with any doorstep sellers. Politely say you don't deal with doorstep sellers.

“If you have been a victim of a rogue trader please report to Trading Standards.”

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