Leicestershire Police are investigating reports of doorstep scam callers targeting elderly and vulnerable residents in Hinckley and Burbage. These individuals have been going door-to-door, initially offering to buy vehicles from driveways before falsely claiming that the homeowners are in urgent need of roof repairs.
The Burbage Beat Team, which is part of the local police force, has spent significant time investigating these reports and providing safeguarding support to those affected. Officers are working to distribute fraud prevention materials created by the Leicestershire Police specialist fraud team, which cover common tactics used by scammers, including phone and payment fraud.
Residents are being advised to avoid engaging with any unsolicited callers who arrive at their homes. Authorities are also urging the wider community to keep a close watch on elderly family members, neighbours, and friends to ensure they do not become victims of these traders. Any suspicious activity should be reported immediately by calling 101.
Doorstep scams have been a persistent issue in the region, with Leicestershire Trading Standards noting that 217 residents across the county were conned out of nearly £3 million during a 12-month period. Rogue traders in these instances frequently target homes with claims that they need urgent work on roofs, chimneys, or driveways.
This follows previous reports of fraudulent activity in Hinckley, including an incident in the Trinity Lane area in March 2025. During that time, individuals posing as workers used fake council identification badges to claim they were authorised by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, demanding payment from residents for work they did not perform. Residents seeking further advice or wishing to report rogue traders can also contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
