Trading Standards South West is urging residents to be vigilant following a 20 per cent increase in reports of doorstep crime over the summer and early autumn months.

Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards Officers warn that residents are more at risk from rogue traders calling at our homes at this time of year and ask for friends and neighbours to look out for signs of rogue trading in their community. Fraudsters will often target the most vulnerable people, overcharging for poor or unnecessary work, and in some cases may be using exploited labour to carry out the work.

Doorstep callers offering driveway and roof repairs are among this summer’s most commonly reported complaints.

Trading Standards recommend that if you don’t know who is knocking at your door – don’t answer it; if the person refuses to leave, or you feel threatened or scared, call the police on 999 and to deter rogue traders, display a ’No Cold Callers’ sticker on your door. These are available by calling Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.

Doorstep rogue traders can be reported to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 03454 04 05 06.