LevellerLive

Police are  warning householders to be alert to rogue traders operating in the Somerton and Yeovil area. It follows an incident on Monday August 19 when an 86-year-old Somerton man was asked for £5,500, and paid £2,000, for incomplete resurfacing work on a path at his home.

Police tell us that a man had knocked on his door offering to carry out work on his drive, and agreed to repair a side path for £800. After carrying out some of the work he said the price had gone up, and the elderly man went to the bank and withdrew £2000.

Police have received reports of a group of men in a white pick-up truck and a green Mitsubishi Shogun 4×4 who have been touting for work in the Somerton area. Anyone who may have been approached by them, or has any information, is asked to contact Yeovil CID on 101. A 31-year-old man has been arrested in Dorset and is currently being questioned in Yeovil.

Police have issued the following  advice to residents to minimise the risk of becoming a victim of rogue traders or distraction burglars is:

• If you’re not sure who’s at your door, don’t open it
• Call a neighbour, family member or friend nearby to come along and check out the caller before you open the door to them
• Genuine callers will make an appointment to see you and will happily come when you have someone with you
• To check someone’s identify, use a telephone directory – don’t use a number given by the caller as it may be bogus
• Don’t keep large quantities of cash at home – put it in a bank or Post Office account
• Keep your doors and windows secure at all times
• If you suspect a bogus caller is at your door, call 999. We would rather be called to a false alarm than not called at all.