Rogue Traders

Hello all

I just wanted to send out a polite reminder to all residents not to employ cold callers who want to do work on your property, if you need some work doing to it, enquire with local reputable businesses and don't be tempted because they can do it there and then, that on its own is a red flag as they're obviously not busy!

Unfortunately a lot of the time, these ‘rogue traders’ target areas where there are vulnerable residents who are normally elderly and they catch them on the hop and are quite convincing and before you know it you're a few hundred if not thousand pounds lighter with no written quotation, invoice or guarantee for the work which is quite often sub-standard and then you pay out even more money getting a reputable firm in to do the job properly!

Without an invoice etc you have no come back should the work they've done fail and more often than not they want cash so there is no record of money changing hands. If it's a reputable firm who accept cash then that's fine but they'll give you a proper invoice for monies paid.

Please don't be worried about saying ‘No thank you’ to any cold caller because at that point they should walk away, if they don't, just shut the door, they'll get the message eventually and if they continue to pester you or you feel threatened, call 999 but if they leave without issue and you have vehicle details or they give you a flyer about how amazing they are please still let us know by completing an online report via the Kent Police website and we will look into the company as they may well be legitimate however, to be completely safe, please use a firm that is registered and local is even better.

We have had a few rogue trader incidents lately across the Marsh and in particular New Romney, Littlestone and St Mary's Bay so please be on your guard.

As ever, if you have any information about suspicious activity, drug use/dealing and the like send me an email we will look into it.

On a completely different note it was a pleasure to be invited to and attend the New Romney AGM last Tuesday at the Maude Pavilion, the tea and biscuits were great!

Unfortunately I'm not able to attend the upcoming Lydd AGM so apologies in advance but the Town Clerk will read my report on my behalf.

Lastly I thought you might like the photo, I think the colours of the Battenburg on the police car went lovely with the Rape Seed, just shows what a lovely place we live and work in, it's not all bad news is it!!

Thank you

Steve

13183@kent.police.uk