Doorstep Crime/ Rouge Traders

Doorstep Crime/ Rouge Traders

Dear Resident,

Northamptonshire police have received reports of doorstep crime happening in and around your area.

What is doorstop crime?

Genuine traders will not call uninvited at your door and try to persuade you that work needs doing to your home or garden.

Rogue traders will often approach your home directly. Some will even try to make themselves look more genuine by phoning first to make an appointment, producing glossy leaflets, or advertise in papers and local directories.

Doorstep callers might come across as charming and friendly, or they could be threatening and aggressive. A smiley face or not, they plan to try and trick you into agreeing to let them do work. If you agree they’ll overcharge for shoddy work, which they might not even complete and probably wasn’t necessary in the first place.

Tips to help you keep safe:

Never agree to have work done over the telephone or in your home by a cold caller.

Do your research and don’t rely on posts or recommendations on social media sites or trader approval platforms.

Obtain three different quotes and ask family and friends for recommendations.

Don’t be rushed into making a decision – genuine traders will allow you time to think and won’t pressure you to start work straight away.

Don’t pay cash or transfer money to the trader before work has begun.

Ask to see professional qualifications, public liability insurance and if applicable waste carriers licence.

Make sure you have full contact details for a tradesperson not just a mobile phone number.

If you do not know who is knocking at your door- don’t open the door.

If the person refuses to leave, or your feel threatened or scared, call 999.

Yours sincerely,

PC 0412 Isabelle NOTTAGE
Kettering Neighbourhood Policing team.
Call 101 ext. 347365, Isabelle.nottage@northants.police.uk

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Message Sent By
Izzy Nottage
(Northamptonshire Police, PC, NK1 Kettering Town )