Police stop cowboy builders conning Romford man, 79, out of £3,000

Police foiled cowboy builders who were trying to get a 79-year-old Romford man to withdraw £3,000 from his savings.

The builders knocked on the man’s door and advised him that he needed his guttering fixed and quoted him £1,500 for the work. He agreed to the work.

But last week they told him part of the roof needed fixing too and he would have to pay them £3,000.

The vulnerable man went to withdraw the cash from his bank but bank staff were wary of the large amount he was trying to obtain and notified police.

Officers from the Romford Town Neighbourhood Police Team paid the builders a visit and advised them they would have to take the resident to court if they wanted to be paid.

The cowboys gathered their equipment, told the elderly man he owed them £500, and fled the scene.

Police advise that homeowners only use traders who display the “buy with confidence” logo. You can order a buy with confidence directory at buywithconfidence.gov.uk or by calling 08454 040 506.

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