When neighbours spotted what they thought was shoddy work being carried out on the roof of a house in Duxmere Drive they raised their concerns with the local police who were on patrol on Monday, January 16th.

The police investigated the 'rogue trader' and then contacted trading standards. Together they mounted an operation and a 20 year old local man was arrested later that day on suspicion of several offences.

The victim was a 95 year old resident of Duxmere Drive in Ross who had been over charged for sub-standard work on her roof. The police and trading standard officers waited for the man to return and when he did the police arrested him. Trading standards officers are currently investigating the work on this roof and several other jobs he had carried out in the area.

The man is currently on bail to return to Hereford Police Station on February 13th when he will be questioned about several offences.

PC Paul Challenger told the Ross Gazette:?"The public must report to us or Trading Standards any person who has completed sub-standard and over-paid work. These rogue traders must not be able to get away with it, especially when they prey on the elderly. We will investigate robustly and take absolute positive action."

According to the Supply of Goods & Services Act 1982 work done, and products supplied, by tradesmen and professionals must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. When it comes to work itself, the act states that a tradesman or professional has a 'duty of care' towards you and your property. Any standard or price you agree must be honoured. But if it isn't agreed in advance the work must be done to a reasonable standard, at a reasonable cost, and within a reasonable time.