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Two men who tricked a 90-year-old Haverhill man out of £250 and made off in a tipper truck are being sought by police.

The incident happened in Hamlet Road between 12pm and 2pm yesterday.

Two men called at the home of the 90-year-old man, offering to clean his guttering. He asked for a price but they said they couldn’t quote until they had had a look at the roof so he gave them permission to start work.

A short while later they asked for payment of £480. The man refused this and asked his neighbour to help and the men then dropped the price to £250.

He was still unhappy but had agreed to pay in cash, so they entered the house and were paid. The men concealed some notes and suggested they had not been paid enough, but eventually accepted it.

The neighbour asked for a receipt and the men said they would get a card from their truck, a white tipper, but they left in the truck.

The first man is described as white, around 6ft 1in tall, of muscular build with short blond hair and was wearing a dark blue T-shirt.

The second man is described as white, around 5ft 4in tall, with short sandy or red hair, long stubble and a ruddy complexion.

You can take simple precautions to protect your property from rogue traders.
 Use the door chain;
 If you don't know who is at the door, ask them;
 Check the caller's card. Never be afraid to confirm details by making a phone call;
 Most utility services offer a password scheme and a phone number, which you can ring to check the identity of callers;
 If in doubt, shut your door. Ring 999 to contact the police;
 Don't feel pressurised into buying items from doorstep callers;
 Be wary of anyone calling at your door offering to do repairs or gardening. If you feel the work is necessary, get personal recommendations and contact a number of companies for a written quotation;
 Check whether the trader is a member of a trade organisation or builders’ quality mark scheme;
 It is reasonable to pay a small deposit but never pay in full in advance before work is completed;
 Don’t keep unnecessary amounts of money at home; and
 Preferably use a trader who you know has carried out a good job for a neighbour, relative or friend.

Police are appealing for information to help them catch the tricksters and calls in relation to this incident should be made to PC Carl Edley at Haverhill Police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.