Warning to householders in Redcar & Cleveland

Police are reminding Redcar & Cleveland householders to take care if they’re getting gardening or odd jobs done after we received reports that residents were being seriously overcharged for work.

In the last few days officers have received complaints from across the area, including Redcar and Brotton, that while they had agreed to gardening work offered by casual callers at the door, when it came to payment they were placed under pressure to pay much more than was originally agreed.

We’d remind people to seek personal recommendations from trusted family members or friends and to agree a fair price before any work begins.

Police would also ask our residents to:

Check on vulnerable or elderly relatives, neighbours or friends and offer them these tips:

Get into the habit of checking who is at the door. If you’re not expecting anyone, consider whether you should answer the door at all.

Use a door viewer (spy hole) or shout through the letterbox.

If you can, go to a window and deal with visitors there as it’s a lot easier to dismiss unwanted callers from the safety of your home.

If you do decide to open the door – use the chain or a door bar.

Remember – if you’re not sure – don’t open the door!

For more information see: Trading standards | Redcar and Cleveland (redcar-cleveland.gov.uk)

You can report any suspicious behaviour to Cleveland Police on 101, or online via our website.