Neighbourhood group labels rogue traders "evil, nasty people" preying on Northamptonshire's elderly

Concerned neighbours tipped off the police about a gang of rogue traders attempting to fleece cash from the elderly and vulnerable in Northampton.

Officers were alerted by reports of a gang of tricksters cold-calling properties in Kingsthorpe and Duston and forcefully trying to persuade residents work needing doing.

They then charging vastly inflated prices for cleaning gutters and drives.

One local neighbourhood group claimed the gang initially agreed a price for a job but then persuaded victims that other work needed doing and had taken £950 from a pensioner in Kingsthorpe.

Police have now issued a county-wide warning after further reports of incidents in Daventry.

One group member said: "They were in our street and insisted on doing a quote for our roof even though we’d already said no.

"Good price he said normally £850 but would do it for £700. I still said no but he wouldn’t go away and kept knocking the price down eventually to £400. I shut the door.

"These people must be stopped, I can see how elderly people can be intimidated. They’re evil, nasty people."

The men involved are believed to have Irish accents and drove vans with Irish number plates.

Chief Inspector Pete Basham said: “I’d like to send out a strong message to Northamptonshire’s residents to be on guard for this sort of activity.

"It is often the elderly and vulnerable that are targeted by these fraudsters, who will frequently try to take the victim to a bank or cash machine while they are completely unaware that they are falling victim to a scam.

“If you or someone you know finds themselves in such a situation and have any doubts, call police to attend. If no suspects are at the scene, Trading Standards should be contacted.

“Please be vigilant in your neighbourhood for potential rogue traders operating, and encourage elderly or vulnerable relatives to call you should any tradesman insist work needs to be carried out, or are demanding money.”

Cllr Jason Smithers, Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member for Highways and Place, added: “Our advice is never to agree to work on the doorstep even if the trader says that it is urgent, but if you do need work done to your property, get quotes from two or three reputable traders and compare them.

“And always remember that 'If you’re not sure, don’t open the door'.”