Bogus tree surgeons warning
Two bogus callers posing as tree surgeons have been caught trying to rip off elderly and vulnerable residents in a Staffordshire village. Two bogus callers posing as tree surgeons have been caught trying to rip off elderly and vulnerable residents in a Staffordshire village. The men posed as bona-fide callers to a resident living in Redhill, near Stone. It was the latest in a spate of similar calls in the area. They were not insured to carry out the work and were also known to charge huge amounts of money for work. It comes just days after a new police crackdown on fake officials in the county's Chase division was launched. Areas covered by the division include Stafford, Stone, Cannock, Rugeley, Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley.
The men posed as bona-fide callers to a resident living in Redhill, near Stone.
It was the latest in a spate of similar calls in the area. They were not insured to carry out the work and were also known to charge huge amounts of money for work. It comes just days after a new police crackdown on fake officials in the county's Chase division was launched.
Areas covered by the division include Stafford, Stone, Cannock, Rugeley, Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley.
Police said the two men were not arrested, but their details were passed on to Trading Standards and the Benefits Agency.
Detective Inspector Pete Wyatt said: "We would specifically like to thank people who alerted us to the two men approaching homeowners in Redhill."
Uniformed and plain-clothes officers have been speaking to residents and traders across the division. Many legitimate officials, who carry out bona-fide work, have had their credentials verified and residents have been given advice.
DI Wyatt added: "The success of the drive is also down to members of the community and we would urge anyone else with any information on people acting suspiciously to contact us immediately."
Staffordshire Police is reminding householders to be vigilant and to remember to use the Stop, Chain, Check procedure, which is: Stop if you're not expecting a caller and don't let them into your home. Chain the front door before opening.
Check for identification and double-check this by calling the company they are representing, before letting anyone into your home.
Last week police urged Stafford and Stone residents to be on their guard following a burglary by bogus workmen posing as handymen.
They stole a large quantity of money and a gold pocket watch from the home of a Stafford man in Fairview Way on March 20 after gaining entry to apply sealant to one of the doors.
This followed an earlier attempted burglary in Park View, Swynnerton, near Stone, at about 10am the same day.
