The con was in Shire Oak, but be vigilant all over the area. Imagery from Bing! Maps.

Reader Andy from Shire Oak has been in touch who is very concerned and upset that his mother was conned by bogus ‘gardeners’ who claimed to have cut her back hedge and then charged an extortionate fee.

Andy said:

Hi People of Brownhills and Walsall wood,

My mom who lives in Shire Oak has been ripped off yet again by some unscrupulous bastard that’s pretended to trim back her hedge and charged her £160!

My mom is 79, lives on her own, suffers from early onset Dementia and is very trusting of people!

Please spread the word that this is happening in your area and keep a look out for so called trades people ripping off the vulnerable.

Thanks
Andy

Please tell your relatives and neighbours about these ratbags, and impress upon them how important it is not to buy from, or accept services at the door, no matter how plausible the people offering them. Genuine companies will always contact you by other means.

Explain that no official body will turn up unannounced demanding money for services like gardening, drain cleaning, tree pruning etc., and that if they are at all unsure of any caller, to close the door and contact the police.

Scumbags engaged in the robbing of OAPs are lower than a snake’s knees, and I find it shocking and disturbing that the lady concerned was unable to contact the police. I shall draw this unfortunate situation to their attention.

Please,  if you have any further information relating to these incidents, or if you witnessed something  please contact West Midlands Police by dialling 101 (999 in an emergency, obviously) or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.