ADVICE on freezing out cold callers is being made available to Bromsgrove residents.

As part of National Dementia Awareness Week, advice from Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) officers will be available at the Methodist Centre, Stratford Road, as part of an event run by the town’s Older People’s Forum.

Handouts and fliers will be highlighting how to spot rogue traders and what measures can be taken to avoid cold callers.

Bromsgrove District Council’s health improvement co-ordinator and police representatives will also be on hand at the drop in event.

WRS senior trading standards officer Peter Holmes: said “Rogue traders are serious criminals.

"They exploit the vulnerability of a victim in order to get as much money as possible from them.

“In extreme cases, attempts are made to get the victim to sign over their homes. These individuals are despicable and we will use all methods at our disposal to stop them and catch them.

“The public, especially relatives and neighbours of vulnerable residents, including those with dementia, have an important part to play both in prevention and assisting us with our investigations.”

The tips issued to prevent doorstep crime include pursuading people not to answer the door to strangers and to put a door chain on if they want to answer the door, and if a person requires work to be done ensuring it is carried out by a trusted source by initially contacting Trading Standards.

The drop-in session runs from 10am-3pm this Friday, May 23.