POLICE WARNING: Gutter cleaning rogue trader targets vulnerable and elderly

A rogue trader, who offers to clean people's gutters, has been targeting elderly and vulnerable people in Swindon.

According to the police, the man's follows the same pattern. He will cold call at people's properties in the Liden, Eldene and Stratton areas and will offer to carry out gutter clearing; he will then tell the occupier of the property that they need more work doing, such as roof repairs or the wall re-pointing before demanding more money.

PC Rachel Barnett said: "This man is very affable and persuasive and often charms his way into people's confidence, so much so that they will give him more money for unnecessary jobs or even drive him to a cash machine to take the money out when asked.
"He is never aggressive, however he is dangerous because he cons mainly elderly and vulnerable people out of their hard earned savings."

The man is described as: white, in his 30s, of slim build, 5' 10" tall, has dark, tidy hair and a thin face.

The public are urged to remember the following advice to help reduce their chances of falling victim to this type of crime:

• Always keep your door shut and locked.
• If someone comes to your door and you aren’t expecting a caller it is important that you check who it is by using a spy-hole or look through a window. DO NOT open the door to anyone you don’t know or are not expecting.
• Official visitors will always arrange an appointment with you beforehand – If no appointment has been made DO NOT open the door.
• DO NOT keep large amounts of cash at home – it is much safer in a bank or building society.
• Always keep purses and wallets hidden away from sight
• Never keep pin numbers with credit or debit cards
• Never agree to have work carried out by someone who is just passing, or believe them that work needs to be done at all. If you think work might need to be done get quotes from three companies and ask friends and neighbours for recommendations.
• If you see anything suspicious or think a bogus caller may have called at your door, you must report it to the police immediately by calling 999.

PC Rachel Barnett added:  “Often, people who have had encounters with this man are left feeling unsafe, frightened and wrongly, foolish.
"Wiltshire Police will always support anyone who has had an encounter of this kind, and will do all we can to investigate any offences and offer support to the victim to help them feel safe in their own homes."

Anyone with information on this incident should call PC Rachel Barnett at Swindon Police Station on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.