Two men have been arrested following a fraud investigation in Tilehurst after they were reported to have been cold calling and pressuring residents to have work done that didn’t need doing.
Thames Valley Police’s Central Fraud Unit and Reading Council’s Trading Standards department have arrested two men and seized three vehicles as part of a joint operation targeting bogus tradespeople.
A 22-year-old man and a 54-year-old man from Woking, Surrey have been arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation.
It was reported to police that the two men had been targeting residents in Tilehurst from Sunday, June 29th and Wednesday, July 2nd by cold calling houses and pressuring them into agreeing to work that didn’t need doing.
This resulted in a vulnerable victim being pressured into making a payment of £12,000 for moss to be removed from their roof. The men went on to remove roof tiles, claiming that further work was required, as well as pressuring the victim to agree to having their loft insulated.
The two men have been released from police custody on conditional bail to allow for further enquiries to continue.
Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn, Head of Thames Valley Police’s Central Fraud Unit, said: “We know through our ongoing work in the fraud unit the lengths that offenders are prepared to go to in pursuit of fraudulently obtaining money. Those who commit these offences can be extremely convincing and use pressure tactics to gain on the spot decisions.
“An investigation into the full circumstances of this incident is underway. As our specialist officers continue our enquiries, my advice is to never agree to work being undertaken because of a cold call to your home. Remain vigilant and do not hesitate in reporting any suspicious activity immediately. Your report will be taken seriously and we will make use of all the powers available to us.”
Cllr Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety at Reading Council, said: “The arrest of two individuals suspected of defrauding vulnerable residents in Reading forms part of an excellent joint investigation and decisive action by Reading Council’s Trading Standards officers and our Thames Valley Police partners.
“We remain resolute in our efforts to tackle fraud and will not hesitate to take action against anyone suspected of operating unlawfully. Residents are encouraged to reach out to the free, confidential consumer advice available through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer.”
