RESIDENTS in and around Minehead were being urged by police on Friday (May 8) to stay vigilant following reports of rogue traders operating in the area.

An Avon and Somerset Constabulary spokesperson said: “These individuals may cold call at your door offering services such as roofing, driveway repairs, guttering, or gardening work.

“They often claim urgent issues need fixing and may pressure you into agreeing straight away.

“In some cases, work is left unfinished, completed to a poor standard, or vastly overpriced.

“Do not feel pressured into making immediate decisions.

“Always verify credentials and seek multiple quotes.

“Avoid paying large sums up front or in cash.

“Use reputable, trusted traders where possible.”

The police spokesperson said if something did not feel right, people should trust their instincts.

They said suspicious activity can be reported to the police by calling 101, or online, or calling 999 in an emergency.

In February, the Free Press reported how ‘aggressive’ rogue traders or doorstep callers had targeted a property in Parkhouse Road, Minehead.

On that occasion, a man described as about 50 years old forced his way into a home, pushing past the residents, to demand money for work on a garden boundary tree while two younger male accomplices waited outside the property.

Some time previously, a homeowner in South Park, which joins Parkhouse Road, was targeted by two men who wanted £350 to cut down branches overhanging the property.

The spokesperson said rogue traders often targeted vulnerable or elderly people and attempted to pressure them into having work done on their property and may fail to offer the legally required 14‑day cooling‑off period.

Recent incidents elsewhere in the Avon and Somerset force area have seen residents pay large amounts of money for poor‑quality work, or, in some cases, no work at all.