People in Staffordshire are being urged to be on their guard for rogue traders targeting residents in the area.

Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards service have issued the warning following reports of rogue traders targeting older residents. In one case, a crew of three workers claiming to be from a legitimate company, carried out work to have trees removed from an elderly couples garden.

Despite being challenged several times about their genuineness, the rogue traders insisted that they were and attempted to charge the home owner £2,000 for the work. Knowing that this didn't feel right the homeowner agreed to pay £400 and said he was going to contact the authorities. On this the rogue traders left.

Trading Standards officers are now reminding people to be wary of any unsolicited calls to their home. Anyone approached on their doorstep, feels threatened or has concerns about doorstep callers or rogue traders is urged to call the police on 101.

Victoria Wilson, cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council said: "Keeping communities safe is one of our top priorities and this includes protecting people from rogue traders and doorstep crime.

"Rogue traders prey on the vulnerable particularly the elderly and sadly are more active at this time of the year when the weather is better. Most reputable trades people do not cold call and our advice to people would be to always use a reputable trader and never hand over money to unsolicited cold callers.

"If you're approached by a cold caller or someone asking for money for work they claim to have carried out, please report it to the Police on 101."

Inspector Christopher Moss, of the Cannock neighbourhood policing team, said: "Residents and businesses should never accept work from a tree surgeon who refuses to agree on a price before starting their work.

"Professionally qualified tree surgeons should always agree a price with the customer before starting any form of work.

"If you are concerned that a tree surgeon may be a fraudster, particularly if you are an elderly resident, please ask them to ensure a price is agreed beforehand.

"Consider calling a friend or relative for a second opinion if you are suspicious about an individual and ensure they are not permitted entry until you are completely satisfied they are legitimate."

Common services offered by rogue traders and cold callers include general building work, gardening work, roofing, repairs and maintenance and driveway resurfacing. Prices charged are usually excessive and anyone accepting work will pay much more than intended. Work is also often very poor quality, can be dangerous and in some cases isn't even done. Doorstep criminals in particular also rarely provide paperwork so they can't be traced once they've left people's homes. Names, addresses and business details are often false and telephone numbers don't get answered.

People can get advice on spotting and avoiding rogue traders from the Citizen's Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.