A ROGUE trader in Oxford repaid his 89-year-old victim £2,400 after failing to returf his lawn properly.

The repayment was made by a landscape gardening firm as trading standards officers across Oxfordshire targeted rogue traders in the run-up to national Rogue Trader Day on Wednesday.

They made patrols in Oxford, Wallingford, Didcot and Banbury.

Trading standards doorstep crime team leader Martin Woodley said the number of rogue trader incidents in the county was on the increase.

He added: “This month 45 incidents have been reported so far. That already beats last October’s total of 40. It is the highest number of incidents reported in the past five years.”

The 89-year-old who was targeted, who asked not to be named, said he was initially quoted a price of £1,500 and although a verbal agreement was made, no paperwork was produced.

After two-and-a-half days’ work, the victim was persuaded to pay £2,500, but the lawn laid was poor meadow grass.

The pensioner contacted the trading standards department and following its intervention, the firm repaid £2,400.

The victim said: “I wanted the front lawn returfed and although I was originally quoted £1,500, the price went up bit by bit.

“It was not real turf. It immediately started growing weeds and in one section weeds grew to about two feet high.

“The work was badly done and there were gaps in the turf which could cause elderly people or children to trip.

“I wrote a letter to the two addresses I had for the company, but both were false.

“It was only when trading standards officers got involved that I got almost all my money back.”

Mr Woodley said: “Those involved became aware trading standards officers were looking into this complaint.

“This may have prompted them into repaying most of the money back.”

Trading standards officer Natalie Hill, who carried out patrols in the Wallingford area, added: “People should be aware of rogue traders.

“Not all doorstep traders are rogues and some offer a good service, but people should be particularly aware of people offering to carry out services involving gardening, tree work, roofing and driveways.

“People should always ask for a quote in writing and then get two further quotes.

“Do some checks to make sure the name and address of the company is legitimate, and any contract should explain your seven-day cancellation rights.”

Mr Woodley said trading standards officers were working with police on a number of ongoing investigations.

“Gloucestershire Police has also arrested another rogue trader based in Oxfordshire and who we have been trying to locate for nine months.”

  • For further information visit Oxfordshire County Council’s website oxfordshire.gov.uk and click on the trading standards link to find a list of approved traders.