Four held in 'rogue gardener' raids (From Witney Gazette)

Four held in 'rogue gardener' raids

11:08am Friday 29th February 2008 in Witney

TRADING Standards officers from Oxfordshire County Council have caught four people in a crackdown on cold-calling rogue gardeners.

Council officers along with police raided two addresses in Oxford and Witney on Wednesday and four people who were carrying out gardening and building work were arrested.

The previous day, three men working in a garden, in Headington, ran-off from trading standards officers when they were approached. A further incident today is still being investigated.

These four incidents alone could have netted the rogue traders a total of £11,500 for carrying out very little or substandard work.

Nigel Strick, head of Oxfordshire County Council's trading standards, said: "There appears to be team of rogue traders operating in the county offering to do gardening work.

"We would strongly advise all Oxfordshire residents not to deal with traders who call at their house.

"If you need gardening work done, ask your friends and neighbours to recommend a trader and get a couple of quotes to make sure you are paying a fair price."

If someone calls at your house offering to do gardening work say no thank you and report the visit to Trading Standards on 0845 051 0845.