Rogue traders force OAP to handover cash

Dave Gooderham

A PENSIONER was driven to a bank and forced to cash a cheque worth thousands of pounds after rogue traders claimed his chimney needed fixing.

Police this morning launched an appeal for information and warned residents to remain vigilant against cold callers following the incident in Culford, near Bury St Edmunds.

Two traders called at the elderly man's house claiming his chimney needed fixing. One of the men then drove him to a bank in Bury where he cashed a cheque for an amount far exceeding the cost of any work that was carried out.

Although the amount the rogue traders got away with has not been disclosed, it was described by police as a “considerable sum” and is thought to run into several thousands of pounds.

The men have been described as white while the man who drove the pensioner to the bank is in his 30s with dark hair and a dark thin moustache. They drove a dark coloured car with a roof rack.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: “Rogue traders prey upon vulnerable and elderly victims and the impact of their actions on the victim can far outweigh any financial loss, with dramatic effects on quality of life and confidence.

“In this instance a considerable sum of money was taken for work that may or may not have been completed, and would not have cost this amount to carry out.

“Anyone who thinks they are being targeted by a rogue trader or distraction burglary should not let the caller in and dial 999 immediately.

“We would also remind residents to look out for any older neighbours or relatives and again urge them to call police if they have any suspicions about callers or workmen who have asked for payment when the work may not have been done.”

Anyone with information about the incident - which took place sometime between 9am and 5pm on May 19 - should contact Pc Stefan Henriksen at Ixworth Police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.