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Council issues gutter cleaning warning

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St Helens Council’s Trading Standards team is warning residents to be wary of doorstep traders offering guttering, roofing and other building work.

Over the last few days, residents in the Haydock and Moss Bank areas have been duped by men offering to clean their gutters for £20 or £30. The workmen spend very little time supposedly cleaning the gutters, then demand payment. The residents then find that no work has been done at all.

Reports indicate that there are one or two men working together, in their late 20s and wearing jumpers or sweatshirts marked with a business name and hi-viz vests.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Green Smart and Sustainable Borough, Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron said: “Residents need to be on their guard – and should always demand to see some form of ID. No one should feel pressurised.

“They should not employ workmen who cold call, as often the work will be of poor quality at a high price, and as no paperwork is provided, the resident has no chance to claim their money back.

“This type of low-cost work can be an opportunity for doorstep criminals to gain trust, before seeking more expensive work or, in a few instances, gaining entry to the home to steal from the resident.”

Anyone concerned about a trader who knocks on their door, should report the matter to Trading Standards and Merseyside Police (on 101).

Residents who do require household maintenance work, should contact a number of businesses and obtain written quotations for the work. Reputable traders can be found on the Trading Standards Trader Register, which can be found at:
www.traderregister.org.uk/sthelens/index.php or by contacting Trading Standards on 01744 676299 or tradingstandards@sthelens.gov.uk

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