The Clitheroe Thursday, October 27th, 2011 No. 6,524 news and views from the Centre of the Kingdom www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk Price 80p


¥ PI


PULLOUT p r o p e r tv fffffBW


: byFaiza Afeaal


AN ELDERLY couple from the Ribble Valley were targeted by rogue traders twice in six months;


- ^ The husband and.wife, aged 84 and 72, said


they were left extremely shaken and unable to sleep for days after both sets of “workmen” returned with angry,threats after the work had been carried out. •• The couple, who have asked not to be iden­


tified jispoke out as part of a crackdown by Lancashire Constabulary against rogue trad­ ers and pushy doorstep sellers.- : Officers joined forces with Trading Stand­


ards to execute warrants at addresses of known rogue traders, conducted patrols in areas where older or vulnerable people live, and checked vehicles using automatic number plate recognition.- , The couple recalled the times they were


targeted. In the first incident, which happened ear­


lier this year, the victim was driven to a cash­ point by a workman and asked to withdraw £1,500. The pensioner said he was aware a small


amount of work was needed on a flat roof, and in January approached a team of build­ ers parked in the road outside his home. He let one workman go onto the roof to examine the problem. • “He said that the roof cover was all tom


up arid rainwater would be leaking through,” said the victim. “I knew it was an old cover arid his quote of £1,500 didri’t sound too bad, so I agreed.'!'


Couple forced to hand over £100s to


asked if he would take a cheque; but he began pressurising me into getting c$ish. “I let him drive me to a bank and I with­


drew the rnoney.” The next:day'the, workmen reappeared


and demanded another £1,000, claiming they needed to finish off their work, but eventu­ ally left. ■ When the man’s wife contacted Trading


Standards about the incident, the workman returned, angrily banging on. the couple’s liv­ ing room window. In another incident, the couple were ap­


proached by rogue traders after receiving a cold call. They agreed to pay £800 to have their driveway resurfaced, paying £400 up front and agreeing to hand over a further £400 after the work had been completed. But within two days of the work being done,


weeds began to show and the couple called Trading Standards. . - They were advised not to pay the remain­


ing money so when the workman turned up for the money, they refused. The workman then said he would tear up


the driveway and get people to pour diesel on it. Despite the advice they had been given, they were so afraid and intimidated by this threat that they decided to pay the £400.


The 84-year-old man said: “We were very


nervous and upset about it - thinking we had been conned for a rough job.'We couldn’t sleep at night and were worried about the chap coming back.


• 7-'; “We were very nervous and shook up that


these types of people exist. We were vulner­ able and they conned us into it. We were stressed for a couple of months afterwards. “People are warned not to deal with cold


callers and I think that’s right. Ring Trading Standards who can give you a list of all the good joiners and electricians.” Supt Peter O’Dwyer, of Lancashire Con­


stabulary, added: “Rogue traders are not wel­ come in Lancashire - they prey on vulnerable members of our community and we have seen them con people out of vast sums of money for work that is substandard, unnecessary and overpriced. ; “We hope that this operation will catch


those responsible and raise awareness of the dangers of rogue traders and doorstep crime. “I would urge residents to never agree to


have any work done as a result of a cold call. Don’t make snap decisions and don’t be pres­ surised into having the job done.


' -


“Only pay once work is completed to your satisfaction.” ■'


CLITHEROE dance star Alix Carey says an appearance at The Grand Theatre's tal­ ent show - "Grab: The Event" - helped her land a place at a world famous dance school.


FULL STORY: PAGE 5


Free design service book.now: www.kitchendesigncentre.com


Or contact our showrooms: Blackburn 01254 367 975 Colne . 01282 868444 Manchester 0161 681 5061


kitchen • cssiqrcentre


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29