Police warn against cold-call painters

Hawke's Bay Police are advising elderly residents, in particular, to be wary of a travelling group already wanted in Waikato who turn up at the front door offering to do painting work.

Police attended an incident in Hastings on Tuesday in which three men turned up at an Akina address and offered to paint the female resident's roof. The resident became suspicious after she saw one of them water down the paint and then claim he had finished after only two hours.

The "painter" demanded his money but the resident confronted him about his work and also his identity and threatened to call immigration. The group departed with alacrity.

Waikato Police are seeking a number of men for the same type of activity in their district.

It has been confirmed that the men being sought in the Waikato are the same group.

Residents have been asked to be on the lookout for a black Volvo Saloon registration GQA1. The occupants are described as male Europeans. One is aged 50 but looks younger and two others are younger men.

The group are from Ireland or the UK but came to New Zealand via Australia.

If they turn up at a property, police say they should be turned away at the front gate or door and to ring 111.

They sometimes try to intimidate and if that happens people should call 111 immediately and advise the men of that fact.

General advice from the police is to never accept work from "tradespeople" who cold call. People needing work done should arrange it with reputable companies or contractors that can be checked out.

Websites are available to check the quality of work provided and word-of-mouth with friends and family is as good a quality-control option as exists.