Bogus council road gangs warning

Powys Council is investigating complaints about bogus workers

Road gangs falsely claiming to be council workers are targeting homeowners and businesses in Powys.

They claim to have leftover material they are keen to use up and claim they are working for the local authority, said Powys Council trading standards.

The authority said one victim had been asked to pay £3,000 for a job of relaying his driveway, but he refused after taking advice.

Trading standards officers said they were investigating complaints.

Councillor Graham Brown, who is responsibility for public protection, said the council had received complaints after people had been approached by men offering to carry out work in south Powys.

He added: "These men claimed that they were doing work in the area and made references to the highways department in an attempt to convince residents that they working for Powys County Council.

"One resident was asked to pay £3,000, but refused after intervention and advice from trading standards and Dyfed-Powys Police to challenge the value of the job."

Clive Jones, the council's principal trading standards officer, said: "Anyone thinking about having work carried out should consider all aspects very carefully and ensure the prices quoted are fair and reasonable, including the total price payable on completion of the work."

People with information about the contractors are asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 0845 3302000.