A SOUTH Ockendon man is one of two alleged rogue traders who have been charged with fraud by Essex Police after a local bank alerted officers to behaviour from a customer which they were concerned about.

A statement from the force says:"We received a report that a woman, aged in her 80s, may have been the victim of crime after she tried to withdraw a large sum of money from her bank.

"Following an investigation by officers in our Economic Crime Team it was suspected that she had been the victim of a rogue trader.

"Rogue traders will often have no experience or training.

"These people may use pressure tactics to persuade homeowners to have unnecessary work done or to buy goods. They will carry out poor quality work or sell sub-standard goods for large amounts of money and usually ask for payment in cash."

Two men, Joe Saunders, 50, of no fixed address and Clayton Moriarty, 22, of Anton Road, South Ockendon, were been arrested in connection with the incident. They were charged with fraud by false representation.

DS Shelley Tarling, from Essex Police's Economic Crime Unit, said: "Thanks to the swift work of local police officers and the bank, we were able to act quickly.

"With any report of fraud, our focus is the victim. They are often vulnerable and left feeling distressed.

advertisement

"If you, or anyone you know believe they have been targeted by rouge traders, please come forward and report it. We can investigate those suspected of being involved.

"You can also contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service for advice."