...to call 101 about this scam?

[Bishbashbosh45]

Just had a man knock on the door saying that he's a tree surgeon, and has noticed that the tree in our front garden is dangerous and needs to come down urgently, and that he could do it for us for cheaper than anyone else. I told him that we'd had the tree assessed professionally last week and it was fine; he got annoyed and left.

Obviously this is a scam, but is it worth bothering 101 with? We have quite a lot of elderly people near us who I'm worried might be convinced by him.

Yes, I think so, only because my elderly father was caught in a tarmaccing (sp?) scam many years ago, and these people are scum. No genuine tree surgeon would behave like that. You would like to think that the police would come and have a scout around if they're in the area, but with them being so thin on the ground now I doubt anything will happen.

You could also put a notice through every door (if it's not a long street!)

But do tell the police as it's unlikely he'll stick to one neighborhood.

Yes even if you don't see a police officer this is a scam that elderly are often preyed upon. Also burglars do it to assess the area and your own security.

Yes please do. These people are scum.

Not worth bothering 101 with.

Do you have a local facebook page? We do and, apart from being a quick way to get the message out, our PCSOs post and monitor it regularly. It's like Neighbourhood Watch, but easier to connect to

It might be worth letting your local council know as they should be aware that it’s going on in the area

Please don’t bother 101. Call Trading Standards.