RESIDENTS are being urged to be vigilant after rogue traders called at dozens of homes across the Great Yarmouth area. On Monday police were contacted by concerned residents in Ormesby, Fleggburgh and Caister, selling items such as pressure washers, generators and power tools.

RESIDENTS are being urged to be vigilant after rogue traders called at dozens of homes across the Great Yarmouth area.

On Monday police were contacted by concerned residents in Ormesby, Fleggburgh and Caister, selling items such as pressure washers, generators and power tools.

On Tuesday police were alerted to similar activity in the Ludham, Scratby and Catfield areas.

The first incident happened at Yarmouth Road, Ormesby, when a man called at an address at about 1.15pm and tried to sell the homeowner various items. The resident refused and the man, described as in his late 20s, with an Irish accent and dark hair, left.

He was driving a white van.

The second incident happened at Main Road, Fleggburgh, at about 1.50pm when a resident was asked if he wanted to buy a pressure washer. One of the rogue traders was described as being in his 50s, of stocky build, with short hair and clean shaven. Another man stayed in a grey transit van and after the refused to buy items the men left.

The third incident on Monday happened at Saxon Gardens, Caister, at 2.50pm when a man with dark hair and an Irish accent tried to sell a resident a diesel generator.

On Tuesday lunchtime rogue traders using a grey transit van targeted a property on School Road in Ludham, again trying to sell pressure washers and generators.

There were later reports of rogue traders operating on Beach Road, in Scratby, at about 12:45pm, when the traders were seen driving a 4x4 Kia.

The final incident took place at around 1pm in Staithe Road, Ludham. This time the resident was offered pressure washers and generators by a man driving a black 4x4. The rogue trader drove off towards the A1062 when he was refused.

A police spokesman advised residents to always ask for identification from unexpected callers.

Trading standards officer Ann Jackson said that residents should never agree to have worked done, or buy goods from, someone that calls unannounced at their door, or approaches them on the street.

She said: “Very often such traders do not provide full names, trading addresses or contact telephone numbers, resulting in it being virtually impossible to trace them if there are any problems with the work or goods, which are all too often the case. Such traders often ask for cash upfront, and don't offer the entitled seven day cancellation rights.”

For more information call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.