Tackling the rogue roofers conning homeowners

Officers from Trading Standards and the police talk to a victim of rogue traders

Homeowners in Cornwall are being warned about a gang of "rogue roofers" who try to con people out of money.

Trading Standards staff, who were joined by the BBC as they carried out their investigations, said the evidence showed the gang turn up to do small jobs and then tell victims their roof is unsafe and talk them into having the roof replaced, but the work is often poor quality.

One victim who was conned out of £25,000 said she felt "embarrassed and ashamed" she fell for the fraudsters.

Trading Standards urged people to use reputable local companies and always get a proper written quote.

'I feel embarrassed'

Jane - not her real name - had a leak in the roof of her mid-Cornwall home and posted the job on a handyman website.

She said: "First they quoted me £1,300 to fix the roof and tidy up the ridge tiles but when they turned up a couple of days later, they told me the tiles were all rotten and it would cost £15,000."

Later she said the workers told her the rafters in her roof were all rotten and the job would now cost £25,000.

She paid the money and the job was done, but the work was of such low quality it is still leaking, and she has been told by a reputable roofing firm it will cost another £15,000 to do it properly.

"I feel embarrassed and ashamed that I fell for it but they were in my face and put me under so much pressure," she said.

"I do feel pretty stupid."

Emil Gabriel is a Police Community Support Officer from Devon and Cornwall Police

Trading Standards officers have been supporting her with a follow-up visit, helping with documentation as she tries to claim money back from her bank.

PCSO Emil Gabriel, who is working on attachment with Trading Standards, said: "It's very frustrating that these people are so persuasive and so forceful, we like to give the victims as much support as we can.

"Most legitimate traders are busy and haven't got time to knock on people's doors so if someone does come, just say no.

"If they persist, then just close your door and call 999."

Trading Standards officer Matt Rawson said he was ready to help people who think they are being ripped off

The next visit for the team is a bungalow in Redruth where a man who had a small job completed on his roof is now being bombarded with calls, insisting more work needs to be done.

Trading Standards officer Matt Rawson has come to talk to him to prevent him from being ripped off.

Mr Rawson said: "Initially he needed four tiles replacing and they said they'd do it for just £25 per tile.

"But now they've upped the ante, saying his rafters are rotten and they're bombarding him with calls, telling him he has to honour the contract he signed.

"Thankfully he has got in touch with us so we'll be taking the numbers he's been given and maybe we can take this further and move towards prosecution."

Trading Standards officers and PCSO Emil Gabriel meet to plan visits to victims of 'rogue roofers'

According to Trading Standards guidance, home owners should check whether the firm has been vetted on Cornwall Council's website.

Trading Standards officers said many rogue traders were now using online directory services or social media and have moved away from "traditional" cold-calling on the doorstep.

They advised people to get a quote which has details including what work was needed, the cost of materials and the timeframe for the project.

People agreeing works over the phone or at home have the legal right to cancel the contract within 14 days of the agreement, they added.