Wrexham Council is advising all residents to be aware of rogue traders, and to help vulnerable neighbours, relatives and friends avoid having un-needed work done to their properties, after a rogue trader was jailed today after conning an elderly resident out of hundreds of pounds for work.
Edward Delaney was jailed for 14 months at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday, August 2 after pleading guilty of fraud. The case was brought by Wrexham Council’s Trading Standards Officers following an investigation into work carried out by Delaney at a property in Wrexham in the autumn of 2015.
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During the course of the investigation it became apparent that the householder had been repeatedly targeted previously by rogue traders paying out hundreds of pounds over the years for a variety of jobs on his house or garden which were unwanted and of little value.
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Wrexham Council is reminding people of the need to be wary of such traders.
“Keep an eye out for friends, families and neighbours”
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Public Safety, said: “This sort of repeat victimisation is all too typical of doorstep crime.
“Vulnerable householders can be befriended and coerced into long-term arrangements which can see them lose their life savings for work that is overpriced, unnecessary and of poor quality.
“It can sometimes be difficult to comprehend how anyone might fall victim in this way, but it’s important to recognise that there are people in our communities who are very vulnerable, perhaps due to age or health issues.
“Many people will not consider themselves at risk of this sort of crime, but I would urge them to keep an eye out for friends, families and neighbours who may not be confident or well-equipped enough to refuse this sort of work.
“If you see or hear anything that looks suspicious, please report it.”
Who to contact
If you see anyone acting suspiciously or if you’ve been the victim of a rogue trader yourself, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 (or 03454 04 05 05 for the Welsh Language service).
If you are concerned about traders working or leafleting in your neighbourhood, contact your local policing team through 101. If a trader becomes abusive or you feel threatened, contact police on 999.
Trading Standards’ advice is that you never agree to work being offered by a cold-calling trader. If you feel work is needed, always try to obtain a number of quotes from reputable traders before going ahead.
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