Police Local Alert – Rogue Trader Warning – Ashburton Park

Police Local Alert – Rogue Trader Warning – Ashburton Park

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Fraud (e.g. bogus callers, courier fraud, cyber crime), which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

Devon & Cornwall Police are warning residents following reports of suspected rogue traders operating in the Ashburton Park area of Ashburton within the last 24 hours.

Residents have reported being approached by males offering driveway cleaning and sealing services at what initially appeared to be a low cost price. Following completion of the work, concerns were raised regarding the standard of work carried out and the amount of payment requested. The individuals were described as persistent and their behaviour caused alarm and concern to those involved.

The suspects are reported to have used different names when providing payment details and are believed to have been travelling in a vehicle displaying a foreign registration plate.

Residents are reminded:

Do not agree to work offered by unsolicited callers at your door.
Obtain written quotations from reputable traders before committing to any work.
Never feel pressured into making immediate decisions or payments.
If you feel intimidated or threatened, contact police immediately.
Report any suspicious callers or vehicles in your area.

If you have been approached by similar individuals, witnessed suspicious activity, or have any information that may assist, please report it to Devon & Cornwall Police via 101 or online at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk. In an emergency, or if you feel at immediate risk, call 999.

Please share this alert with friends, family, and neighbours, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to doorstep crime.

People in the UK lost £1.2bn to fraud in 2022, the equivalent of £2,300 every minute, according to bank industry group UK Finance. It said around three million scams took place, with frauds involving payment cards being the most common.

Fraud is when trickery is used to gain a dishonest advantage, which is often financial, over another person. Cybercrime is any criminal act dealing with computers and networks.

To report an incident of cybercrime or fraud and for further information visit the Report Fraud website at https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/.  

If you haven’t already listed Report Fraud as an Information Provider who can send you information and alerts, why not click on the settings button at the bottom of this email, log into your account and update your sharing settings.

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. 

Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Get Involved

Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on.  Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 

Please click here to complete the survey