Bogus trader warning for local householders

Gardai have issued an appeal to householders who have elderly or vulnerable neighbours to let them know if they see or hear about bogus traders doing the rounds.

Additional patrols can put on in affected areas, a message from the Crime Prevention Officer on the Garda Síochána Laois Offaly Facebook page explained this week.

“If you suspect that anyone who calls to your door selling goods or services is not who they say they are, tell them you are not interested and call the Gardaí immediately. Genuine tradespeople won’t be offended by any queries the Gardaí may make,” the post on social media advised.

“If you are answering the door to door ‘cold callers’, apply the chain or door limiter before opening the door. If anyone feels like they or someone they know has been a victim of being sold goods for extortionate prices, or paid for a service that was not carried out, to call any Garda station and report the matter,” the message continues.

Elsewhere, Offaly Roads Policing Unit stopped a jeep pulling a trailer load of straw with no lights working on the trailer this week (January 29). In addition, there was no licence for towing the trailer.

The jeep and trailer were escorted off-road, and proceedings have commenced, the Garda Facebook post on January 30 stated.