ROGUE TRADERS

If you are approached by a cold caller offering to do repairs on your home, turn them away.

Call 0808 223 1133 and report it to Trading Standards.

Think before you buy !

Would you have bought this item or had these repairs done if the trader had not called ?  If the answer is no, think very carefully before you agree to anything.

If the goods or services cost more than £42, you usually have 14 days to change your mind and cancel the contract.

By law, the trader must give you a written notice detailing your rights to cancel the contract.  Failure to do this is a criminal offence.

Burglars won't go to the trouble of breaking in if they can just knock and be invited in.  Always be on your guard when anyone you're not expecting turns up at your door.  Never let anyone in unless you are absolutely sure they are genuine.

If you are a householder, you are required by law to take reasonable steps to check traders removing waste from your premises are authorised.

Call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 and ask for a free instant Waste Carrier Validation Check to make sure.  If the person doing your work dumps your rubbish, you the householder are responsible.

If a trader refuses to leave, call the Police.  If you feel it is an emergency please call 999, or the West Mercia non-emergency number 101 or you can make an online report on the West Mercia Police Website.

If you have information about any suspected crime, please let us know using the online ‘Tell Us About’ form on our website www.westmercia.police.uk. If you aren’t comfortable contacting us directly, you can pass on information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org If you ever feel at risk, or a crime is in progress, please always dial 999.  Thank you for your help. It is only by the police and the public working together that we can prevent and detect crime.