POLICE have warned people to be on their guard after a group of workmen have been offering to lay tarmac drives cheaply – only to demand around £2,000 once the work has been done.

The gang has been operating in numerous places in the area, including Liskeard, Saltash, Dobwalls, Herodsfoot and St Austell.

Police say between one or two men have been knocking on doors offering cut-price deals with tarmac left over from other jobs.

Once people have had the work done the men return with up to eight others, ignore the agreed price and insist on a much higher one instead.

One woman who had to pay over £2000 said: 'I'm so frightened I won't open the door to anyone or anything now.'

Another man said: 'I trusted them to begin with because their vehicles looked like council vehicles. They looked like road men. Then they demanded over £2000!'

Police believe there are many more similar cases that haven't been reported because the victims are too scared or embarrassed.

DC Matthews of Liskeard CID, said, 'Even people who have actually had the work done and have paid are unwilling to go through with proceedings for fear of reprisal.'

'The problem we have is establishing that they have committed a crime, all we can do is try to prove that the value claimed is disproportionate to the work that's been done.'

Police confirmed yesterday that one woman had been accompanied by the men to a cash-point, where she withdrew around £2,000 to pay for the work.

DC Matthews, added, 'I want people to be aware of anybody who calls at their door when they're not expecting it. If the public call us we can let them know if they are bonafide companies.'

'We would welcome information on registrations or descriptions of vehicles being used.'