POLICE are warning people to be vigilant following a spate of incidents involving rogue traders across Hampshire.

This week Hampshire Constabulary received two reports about men pretending to work for a company which installs de-humidifiers.

Police say the first incident occurred on Monday shortly after 1pm in Southampton city centre when a man in his 70s was approached by two men in a vehicle offering him a deal on work to install a dehumidifier for £2,000.

The pensioner was not taken in and reported the incident to the police.

The second incident occurred at 4pm the same day, in Portswood, when two men came to the house of man in his 70s and tried to sell him a de-humidifier, even suggesting he go to the bank to withdraw the cash.

It is then believed the conmen waited while the householder went to get the money.

A police officer on patrol in the area saw that the elderly man looked agitated and stopped to talk to him.

When he heard his story persuaded him not to withdraw the cash.

When the man arrived back at the house the two bogus salesman were gone.

In another incident, in Fareham, a man was seen attempting break up a driveway with a pick axe.

He fled when he was spotted by the homeowners

It is believed the man was damaging the driveway so he or his accomplices could then offer to repair it.

Rogue traders can deprive their victims of huge sums.

Mark Kempster, of no fixed abode, was ordered to pay back £16,000 by Winchester Crown Court in April after conning women in Southampton, Alresford, Andover and Gosport to pay for unnecessary roof repairs between January, 2013 and November, 2015.

Another rogue trader, Albert Brazil, who ripped off elderly and vulnerable people has been ordered to pay back £145,000 after admitting three charges of fraud and two charges of money laundering in Fareham, Gosport, and Liphook.

Councillor Sean Woodward, the leader of Fareham Borough Council said: “Rogue traders can be a big problem, they will either overcharge for work that has not been done or simply start work without consent.“We have one of the biggest elderly populations in the country which means that we have to be extra vigilant and are working with the police to tackle the problem and minimise it.”

A spokeswoman from Hampshire Police added: “We would like to remind people to be vigilant when approached by traders on the street or at home. “Don’t be afraid of challenging them by checking their ID or ringing the company they purport to work for. A genuine trader won’t mind you doing this. If they ask you for cash up front or offer to come to the bank with you, call us on 101.”