THIS month North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership (NWCSP) would like to highlight the dangers of having work carried out by people who call at your door unannounced.

Rogue traders are criminals pretending to be legitimate tradespeople offering to carry out maintenance work on your home.

They may use intimidating behaviour to convince you to have unnecessary work done and the end result could be poor quality and cost more than the original quote.

Such incidents are relatively rare here, but they do happen and invariably its elderly people who are targeted.

Everyone needs to be on their guard.

Our advice is clear – don’t accept work from strangers knocking on your door and protect yourself by following our top tips: l Keep your door locked and use a spy-hole or window to check who is outside. If you open the door, secure the door chain first and check the caller’s identity carefully – if in doubt, keep them out! Never invite an unknown caller into your home.

  • Display a No Cold Caller Card, available through Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
  • Avoid keeping large amounts of cash at home.
  • Please remember there is no such thing as ‘‘the water board’! Utilities are provided by private companies and their staff carry full identification.
  • If you need work doing, get several quotes and make sure the one you accept is in writing. Consider using the Worcestershire Regulatory Services Trader Register, a register of local tradesmen 01905 765765 or www.worcestershire.gov.uk/traderregister.
  • Only use businesses that have an address and landline number.

Fewer distraction burglaries are committed in areas where there is a supportive community.

If you see anything suspicious or suspect a rogue trader is in your area, call the police on 101 immediately.

You can also contact Worcestershire Regulatory Services via Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

For more information about NWCSP, please visit www.nwcsp.org Follow us on Twitter! @saferwyreforest

SUE HANLEY Chairman North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership