Police have issued a warning to Highlands residents following reports of bogus workmen in the region.

In Easter Ross, officers were informed of an incident on 22 March 2017 where cold callers attended at a residential address offering to carry out maintenance work. However, the price of the work was then inflated and was of poor standard.

Other incidents have also been reported, including cold callers and scam incidents.

Rogue-traders usually cold-call, claiming to be workers offering to sell services, make repairs or carry out work on your house, garden or driveway. However, they charge high prices for sub-standard, and it is recommended to not deal with cold-callers for property maintenance and home repairs.

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Inverness Area Commander Chief Inspector Ian Graham said: "As we approach the spring and summer, we are urging the public to be vigilant to cold callers offering services and goods for sale. Do not feel pressured into making on the spot decisions about goods and services offered for sale. Take your time to check credentials to satisfy yourself that they are a legitimate business with a good reputation."

Mark McGinty, Trading Standards Team leader, said: "My advice would be to 'say NO' to someone calling at your door to offer garden or home maintenance works, and to inform us of any flyers that appear through your letterbox, don't engage for any works to be carried out.

"Generally, legitimate business does not operate in this way, and bogus workmen could make the damage a lot worse, and effect any insurance you may have on the property."

Mr McGinty urged anyone who suspects bogus workmen are operating in the area to contact either Trading Standards or Police Scotland.

(LM/MH)