Police in Harrogate have urged people to be wary of cold callers turning up on doorsteps offering garden maintenance work.
In a statement today, North Yorkshire Police said it was aware of individuals and groups targeting elderly residents in the area.
It added some could be “pushy and threatening” or “charge inflated prices or pretend to find more and more jobs that need doing on a property”.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:
“We’re aware of Harrogate households in different areas of the town being approached for landscaping and gardening work. We’re working proactively to address this.
“As part of this work, we want residents to be aware of the risks and to know what to do if someone turns up at their door offering services like gardening work, building maintenance or selling goods.
“We’d advise people to be wary – legitimate gardening and maintenance businesses usually work through recommendations and don’t need to knock on doors to get business.”
Unsolicited calling, or cold calling, is when people are approached by someone offering a service despite not requesting it.
Although cold calling is not an offence, North Yorkshire Police said it frequently investigated frauds, thefts and burglaries that happened as a result of doorstep calls.
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The spokesman added:
“Always give yourself plenty of time to make decisions about who you employ and ask friends, family and neighbours for recommendations.
“And don’t feel bad about saying ‘no’. Normal businesses understand that people want to shop around and won’t try to pressure you into a decision on the spot. If they do, that’s a massive red flag.
“Sadly, elderly people are particularly at risk. So if you have older parents, relatives or friends, please share this message with them and check they know how to stay safe if cold callers knock on their door.”
Police urge anyone suspicious about cold callers to dial 101.
Asda set to open new Express store in KnaresboroughWetherby Road Co-op in Knaresborough will close today (January 8) and then reopen as a new Asda Express store two days later.
The move is part of Asda’s long-term plan to expand into the convenience market and become the second largest UK supermarket.
Asda acquired 132 sites from the Co-op in a £438 million deal in 2022 and plans to open 300 sites by 2026.
The new store will become the second Asda Express in Knaresborough following the opening of the Boroughbridge Road branch last year.
Andy Perry, vice president of convenience at Asda, said:
“We’re incredibly excited to be bringing our Asda value and quality to the Knaresborough community with the conversion of the Co-op site. The roll out marks an incredibly exciting moment for our business and accelerates our presence in the fast-growing convenience market.”
A local Asda source, who asked not to be named, said:
“We have a full team that have all moved to Asda with a pay rise. Initially it will be mostly branded products and we may experience shortages for at least 10 weeks until Asda have enough sales data for accurate deliveries.
“Asda is the only major supermarket that currently doesn’t have a convenience range, so it’s a new concept for them too. We will have teething issues as with any new business but we urge our customers to be patient and look forward to seeing them on the other side.”
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