Residents given scammer warning after floods

Residents counting the cost of damage caused by recent floods in Leicestershire are being warned to be steer clear of rogue traders seeking to take advantage of their situation.

A major incident was declared across the county on Monday after hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged in the widespread flooding.

Leicestershire County Council's trading standards team is urging people to "be on the alert for doorstep traders and cold callers offering flood mitigation measures".

It said offers of building repairs, cleaning and garden work "may be sub-standard and over-priced", and advised residents to ensure businesses are properly listed on Companies House to show they are genuine.

Deborah Taylor, the authority's lead member for regulatory services, warned residents to be vigilant against the threat of "scammers who target people when they are at their most vulnerable".

"They know that people need to make urgent repairs to their property and clean up after the water has receded, so may knock on the door and suggest repairs that they claim they can carry out quickly," she said.

"These unscrupulous traders pose as legitimate tradespeople, often targeting the elderly and vulnerable people within our communities."

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