Unscrupulous thieves who con unsuspecting council tenants into letting them strip lead from their roofs have been preying on more areas of Leeds.
People across east and north east Leeds are being warned about the thieves, who pretend to be contractors working for the ALMO which manages council housing in that part of the city. They convince tenants that they are carrying out legitimate repair work, before causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
It comes just months after another ALMO issued a warning to residents in Weetwood of a similar scam, and such incidents appear to be on the increase.
The culprits have been seen in Meanwood driving around in a white van marked as with logos claiming it is from contractors Excel/Baldwins, they have also been spotted in a silver Peugeot or Rover. It has been reported that the phoney workmen have ID badges and make convincing calls ‘back to the office' if residents say they don’t want the lead removing.
There are fears that the thieves might be targeting older and vulnerable people and, while they are currently only targeting lead flashings, it could escalate into them accessing people’s homes for financial gain.
Tenants are warned that if any work is due to be carried out by contractors from the ALMOs, they will receive an advance warning by letter. They will also be given a specific day when the work will be carried out and which contractor will be doing it. Tenants are also advised that before allowing anyone to carry out any work on their property they should always ask to see and check their photo identification badge.
If you are in any doubt at all about the credentials of any workmen approaching you please call us on 0800 915 6660 for advice before you let them carry out any work.