Trading Standards is once again warning of cold callers offering to clean gutters, after another report, this time from the Styvechale area.

An elderly resident living alone was approached and a small contract for cleaning gutters progressed to an allegation that major works on the main roof were required. No cost was quoted and no paperwork issued, but the trader had said he hoped the resident had enough money in their bank account to pay for it.

The resident requested a contact number from the trader so as a family member could discuss the work required. The trader refused and left taking his workman with him.

Just over a week later, the workman arrived alone and  reminded the resident that the work on the roof still needed to be done. This time, the resident refused to engage and he left.

Our advice is not to deal with cold callers, as this is a favoured approach used by rogue traders whose sole intention is to extract as much money from residents as possible.

If you have any information that may help us track down these unscrupulous cold callers or you wish to report any incidents involving a rogue trader or doorstep crime, contact us on 03454 04 05 06 or use our online reporting form.

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Trading Standards is advising residents to be careful when paying for work they have had done on their property.

This comes after a report from a local business who were part way through work to replace the roof of a property.

After they had left for the day the householder had a caller at the door who claimed to work for the company that had provided the roof tiles. He explained that he had come to collect payment, as arranged with the roofing contractor.

He even went as far as to name the company who were doing the roofing work, but this had probably seen earlier on the roofing company’s van.

Thankfully the resident said they would speak to the roofing contractor first to ask why the terms of their contract had been changed, and refused to make any payment.

A subsequent telephone call to the genuine Trader confirmed that the caller was bogus, and had no association with either the roofing company or the company providing the tiles

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Following a complaint from University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Trading Standards is issuing a warning regarding an unsolicited letter received from a Hamburg company offering inclusion in the ‘European Medical Directory’.

By completing the form, you are making yourself liable to pay £850 per year for a minimum of three years for no more than a business entry on an online advertising register.

Our advice is to ignore the letter and to be vigilant when receiving any requests for information from an organisation unknown to you.

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Mr Hemin Hassan Abass, 37, of Swancroft Road, appeared before a judge recently (21 November) after Coventry’s Trading Standards Team found illegal cigarettes in his van.

The court heard how during a joint operation with the West Midlands Police and a specialist sniffer dog, Coventry’s Trading Standards Team paid a visit to the Easy Shop on Walsgrave Road, searching for illegal tobacco products.

After Officers found nothing in the shop, the dog handler conducted a search on vehicles parked nearby. The dog immediately gave an indication upon sniffing a white van. When officers approached the van, they could see the vehicle contained boxes of illegal cigarettes.

Officers undertook a check on the vehicle, which showed that the registered keeper was Mr Hemin Hassan Abass, who had been behind the counter when Officers arrived at the shop.

Read the full story.

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The following notice has been issued by the retailer:

• Navy Hooded Coat (182560)
• Grey / Pink Fur Collar Coat (191228)

Unfortunately, it's come to light that there's a potential problem with the buttons which could become detached, presenting a choking hazard to young children.

The coat passed the rigorous testing required for childrenswear; however, we have identified that the bulk production has not achieved the same high standard consistently. We've taken the decision of recalling it and request that you return the coat to us for a full refund.

Please call us on 0333 777 8185 to arrange a collection, or return it to your local store, if this would suit you better.

If you have given this item as a gift, please ask the recipient to contact Next.

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