The public are being warned about rogue traders operating in north Worcestershire after two similar incidents involving resurfacing work on Tuesday (10 December).

Police are investigating reports of men offering to carry out resurfacing work in Marlbrook and Kidderminster and then aggressively demanding large amounts of cash upon completion.

They are concerned that some people may feel intimidated by these cold calling ‘traders’ offering to resurface car parks or paths who claim to be ‘in the area’ or ‘have left over tarmac they need to use up’.

The first incident was at a haulage firm on Birmingham Road, Marlbrook at around 2pm when the workmen offered to do a small amount of resurfacing for £50 before proceeding to lay around 20 square metres and then aggressively raising the price to £7,500.

Despite offering to pay £1,500 for the work, the men made threats of violence towards the firm’s staff and made repeated aggressive phone calls to them.

The same day, police received reports from a pub in Farfield, Kidderminster who were called by some traders falsely claiming to be from the Highways Agency with some ‘spare tarmac’ available to lay on their car park.

The pub turned down the offer but half an hour later workmen turned up and began doing a substandard job on their car park before demanding £8,000 for the work.

They were threatened that £5,500 needed to be paid by the next morning so called the police.

Police Sergeant Dan Townsend of Kidderminster Police said: “We are investigating these reports of rogue resurfacing workmen who have cold called at a haulage firm and a pub using threats to try and extort money out of businesses for shoddy or unwanted work.

“We would advise people not to deal with anyone who visits their premises uninvited. You should not feel bullied, threatened, or pressurised into buying anything or having any work carried out.”

Police are advising people not to deal with anyone cold calling offering resurfacing work.

They can call report it to us at Report fraud | West Mercia Police or call us on 101. Anyone who feels threatened should call 999.