Op Replicate - Rogue Trader / Cold-caller Alert - Crime Prevention Stand - Sainsburys/M&S - 13th May - 12:30pm

Op Replicate - Rogue Trader / Cold-caller Alert - Crime Prevention Stand - Sainsburys/M&S - 13th May - 12:30pm

Dear resident,

Op Replicate – Combatting Doorstep Crime! #FraudFree2026

The lighter evenings has brought with it some issues in and around Hedge End, and one of these is the increase in Doorstep crime and Rogue Traders. We would like to highlight some issues regarding Rogue Traders - these are door to door scams involving people posing as legitimate businesses, which target local residents and very often the elderly and vulnerable become victims of these fraudsters.

These doorstep criminals cold-call at your home - during the day or evening, and will use excuses to either enter your home/garden, or try to convince you to pay inflated prices for so-called repairs or cleaning jobs, of driveways, guttering, outdoor masonry, walls, fences, roofs etc.

These jobs are often of very poor quality, left unfinished or even not carried out at all. They often ask for the money up front. In many cases the work isn't even necessary, but they may use intimidation and pressure you to make a quick decision, so that you agree to their persuasive or bullish demands.

ROGUE TRADER ALERT! – HEDGE END

During April and May in Hedge End town centre, doorstep fraudsters have been seen in vans around Hobb Lane, Long Close Road and other nearby areas touting for business.

They have approached some elderly residents offering to wash/clean driveways and patios with a jet wash for £300 and other such jobs.

Many people do not feel empowered to ask questions and check if the cold-callers are legitimate businesses. When challenged or any mention of calling the police is made, the men in the vans have left the area in a hurry.

One van is a white Ford Transit style with sign writing and ladders on the roof and another is an old grey Toyota ProAce style van – this van had Irish index plates, and the male driver spoke with an Irish accent. Another male was quite intimidating using hard-sell tactics and began to clean part of a drive without seeking permission.

Their glossy business flyer and van signage with company names, phone numbers and website were bogus and even a QR code on the flyer was fake. Fortunately, we have obtained CCTV footage and photo stills of some of the males and two vehicles.

Also of concern was some late-night suspicious activity with persons seen walking around a couple of the homes with torches, which were previously visited by cold-callers in one particular area. We suspect these to be doorstep criminals looking for opportunities to damage or steal property. One ploy for Rogue Traders is to cause minor damage to walls or masonry, then return to offer a repair service.

These incidents were reported to police and we would encourage anyone to report suspicious persons and vehicles to police via 999, if they are on your property at night, and if during the day, their behaviour is intimidating and they refuse to leave.

PROTECT YOURSELF from Doorstep Criminals:

Any legitimate businesses will always carry ID cards (such as gas/electric/water companies) and give you time to check them out online or by phone call, but we recommend you always complete your own research for a legitimate business for any household/garden repairs and obtain quotes and follow the guide below:

Never buy goods or services from unexpected cold-callers.

Never let a cold-caller into your house - Always say No and use your door chain if necessary.

Don’t leave doors (including garage doors open and unattended)

If a cold-caller becomes intimidating or won’t take No for an answer - Call Police.

Never be pressured into making a quick decision.

Never pay upfront for services or agree to going to the local bank to make a withdrawal.

Get yourself a NO cold-calling poster from local council or local Police.

Report any suspicious cold-callers / Rogue Traders seen in the area to your local police team and Trading Standards.

You can complete business checks online with Trading Standards Buy With Confidence – www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk and Checkatrade – www.checkatrade.com

Citizens Advice Consumer helpline - 0808 223 1133 - if you think you may have been scammed by a doorstep criminal.

Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) on 0300 123 2040 / www.reportfraud.police.uk

(The Report Fraud website provides fraud and cyber-crime prevention advice and gives details of latest scams).

Please visit our CRIME PREVENTION Stand and Beat Surgery

At Sainsburys / M&S foyer, Hedge End on Wednesday 13th May,

at 12:30pm until 2pm.

Local PCSOs will be there to give crime prevention advice and information regarding scams/fraud/doorstep crime.

We look forward to seeing you.

PCSO 14468 Tracey Chilcott

HEDGE END NORTH – NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM (NPT)

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Tracey Chilcott
(NPT, PCSO, EH North NPT)