POLICE have issued a warning over rogue roofers operating in the Warrington area after five residents were targeted at Great Sankey.
After carrying out poor repairs, the workmen dumped waste on a nearby railway embankment.
Yesterday, (Wednesday) officers from the Warrington West Beat Team attended an address in Great Sankey following reports of an issue with a rogue roofing company.
The company based in St Helens had cold-called to several addresses on the same street offering roofing work. Five residents agreed to work which was found to be of poor workmanship and further repairs will be required to make good the work that the males carried out.
The workmen also used the nearby railway embankment to dispose of their waste, British Transport Police – North and Warrington Borough Council Environmental Crime were made aware this.
Officers have also informed Warrington Trading Standards about the incident.
A police spokesperson said: “We would like to remind residents about remaining vigilant with regards to any trader cold calling at your address.
“If you are thinking of having work done, make contact with traders yourself, professional-looking leaflets through the door are not a sign of a genuine contractor, speak to neighbours who may have undertaken work by a trader.
“If you are visited by a cold caller don’t agree to sign a contract or hand over money at the door.
“Think about it and talk to someone you trust. Don’t be embarrassed to say ‘No’ to people or to ask them to leave.
“If you pay or agree to pay over £42 for any services or goods that are sold to you in your home, then you have 14 days to cancel the agreement. If you cancel, any monies that you have paid should then be returned to you.
“The trader must give you a written notice of your cancellation rights when you agree the contract.
“No cold caller stickers can deter traders visiting you property and residents consider setting up ‘nominated neighbour’ schemes in their area- the scheme gives vulnerable residents a card to show to any uninvited callers at their door. The card instructs the visitor to go to a pre-arranged “Nominated Neighbour” to have their identity checked.
“If you are visited by a cold caller and you feel they may not be genuine please call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “If you’ve encountered a rogue trader – someone who pressured you into unnecessary work, provided poor quality service, or misrepresented their business – you should report the incident to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133. They will pass the details to our trading standards team who will use any information to investigate unfair trading and illegal business activity. While we may not always be able to resolve individual complaints, reports help us build cases and take action against those breaking the law.”
