Rogue traders spark Norfolk Police warning and guidance

Norfolk Police have issued a warning to businesses after a series of incidents involving suspected rogue traders.

The force issued guidance after the most recent incident last Wednesday, in which a call was received from an unknown number, asking if the victim needed road maintenance.

An unknown group of men then arrived at the business address and commenced work briefly before leaving. A further call was received demanding a large sum of money for the work, threatening the victim if they did not pay.

This appears to be the latest incident in a series of reports from businesses across south Norfolk, all with similar circumstances: a group of people will contact the victim anonymously offering a service gravelling or tarmacking on the premises.

Once the work is complete, the group claims the victim owes thousands more than the either free or reduced price previously agreed upon. This results in phone calls being made to the victims with threats of violence, blackmail, and criminal damage towards their businesses.

Norfolk Police have advised people looking for a tradesperson to make sure contact details come from reliable sources such as Norfolk County Council’s website at www.norfolk.gov.uk/trustedtrader

They have also advised businesses to never give cold callers access to a property or garden, don’t agree to have work done by someone who is just passing, always remember in the case of cold calling, you don’t have to agree to anything. And never pay for work before it is completed.

If you feel threatened, go inside, stay inside, and call 999.