Rogue Traders – Bruton, Henstridge, Templecombe

Wincanton Rural Neighbourhood Team have seen an increase in reports around ‘cold callers’ or ‘rogue traders’. This is a topic which we are monitoring and is an interest for us to help and support our communities regarding this. Below will be some information around the topic and how to best safeguard our communities.

Rogue traders call at the door without an appointment and offer to do work on your home or garden. This work will be over-priced and poor quality. They will invent problems or quote high prices for small bits of work. Bogus callers can be men, women or even children. Their appearance can be smart, casual or they may even wear tabards and have fake identification.

Distraction burglars target older people in their homes. They sometimes pose as officials from utility companies and make up stories to get into your home and steal from you.

What to do

• If you’re not expecting visitors DO NOT answer the door. If they don’t leave call the police on 999.

• Never agree on the spot to work being done on your home. Ask for a written quote and look up the company before agreeing to any work being done.

• Don’t go to the bank or a cash point with anyone claiming to be a trader.

• Call a neighbour / family member if you feel you are being pressurised into having work done.

• If you are expecting a visitor check their identification. Call their company to confirm they are genuine using a phone number from the phone book. Never call a number given by the visitor – it could be bogus.

• Call a neighbour / family member or friend to check.

Actions

• 6 November 2025
  

  Wincanton Rural Neighbourhood Team are still receiving reports about rouge traders and potential distraction burglaries. In the priority description it explains what the meaning of these problems are, with ways of how to stay safe and what to do in this situation.

  If you have witnessed or been a victim of cold calling we are more than happy to visit you at the location to also explain things in person and other techniques that are used which you can be aware of.

  In an emergency please call 999, if the matter is non-urgent then you can call 101 or report this online.