Rogue traders are targeting elderly people in St Neots and Huntingdon.

Cambridgeshire police has released a warning after rogue builders have called on elderly victims to carry out repairs on their homes, including cleaning gutters, replacing broken roof tiles and garden work.

Despite agreeing an initial fee, the price is dramatically increased after the work is completed.

Officers have received reports from people in Warwick Court, Eaton Socon, Park Drive, Little Paxton and St Peter’s Road, Huntingdon, as well as other parts of Cambridgeshire.

Dave Griffin, Huntingdonshire’s police safety officer, advises people to not believe all callers are genuine, not believe “scare stories” as they are rarely true, genuine tarmac companies don’t have loads left over, don’t sign anything or pay for anything they are not sure about, don’t trust special deals or allow strangers to have access to your home.

He also says that people should ask for an identity card, to challenge anyone looking over your property, check with a friend or Safe Local Trades for a second opinion, ask for information to look at to study at your leisure and remember there’s often a short time in which they can cancel a contract.

INFORMATION: If you are approached by any person offering to carry our repairs to your property turn them away; report the matter to Trading Standards on 03454 040 506. If they persist call the police on 101 or 999 if you feel threatened by them.

Safe Local Trades can be contacted on 0800 014 1832.

Anyone with information about rogue traders or distraction burglaries or suspicious activity around elderly neighbours should call Cambridgeshire police on 101 and anyone who thinks they have become a victim or believes distraction burglars are operating in the area should call 999.