Ross-on-Wye Neighbourhood Watch and the police are warning residents that three male occupants of a red Ford Fusion car and two male occupants in a small white van have been going around villages in Herefordshire delivering gardening service leaflets.

The men in the red car are alleged to have been seen stealing items from gardens.

The three men in the red car have managed to get some people to agree to have work done, have been paid, but then have not completed the jobs.

More specifically, a man knocked on the door of an elderly resident recently offering such garden services and was explicitly told by a close family member of that resident that this was not required.

Despite this, at a much later time, after the family member had left the property, a ’colleague’ of the first caller went to the house and managed to persuade the very elderly resident to agree to some work done. They were there less than an hour and wanted to charge £80 but accepted £60 when the resident had no more than that available in cash.

The men were wearing green t-shirts with yellow writing on them.

Any sightings of these individuals or the vehicles should be reported to the police on 101, and quote OIS Number 364S-241018. The police have asked residents to please try and take note of the registration plate if possible.

For local scams advice and concerns, contact Herefordshire Trading Standards on 01432 261761.

If you have been a victim or have been subject to an attempt of this kind of scam, please report it to West Mercia Police on 101.