IT’S summer and that’s a peak season for doorstep conmen.

That’s why this week I want to send a message out to people who could well be approached by rogue traders over the summer.

When the weather improves, we often see an increase in reports from people who have been approached by companies or individuals offering to do gardening work and repairs to property.

The elderly and vulnerable are often targeted by these unscrupulous individuals, who are not from genuine companies and who charge large amounts for unsatisfactory or unnecessary work.

Such individuals sometimes also pretend to be from utility companies and try to gain access to a person’s home.

We are aware that a pair of suspected rogue traders are moving around the Kirklees area and it may just be a matter of time before they commit a crime here.

Driving a red Ford Transit van with ladders on its roof, the two men have targeted old people in Keighley and we want to catch up with them before they strike in Kirklees.

We know from our Automatic Number Plate Recognition camera system that they have been driving through the district and are suspected of stealing petrol from a filling station in Birchencliffe on June 20.

Their tactic is to approach the homes of people who appear to be elderly and tell the people that they need work doing on their roofs. After doing the work – which is totally unnecessary – the suspects are returning to do further work which hadn’t been asked for.

The main suspect in these offences is described as a white male, around six feet tall, of slender build, but with a beer belly. He had a Scottish or Irish accent and wore a checked shirt, a fluorescent jacket and jeans.

A man fitting this description and driving a red Ford Transit van, is suspected of stealing fuel from a filling station in Birchencliffe.

We want to speak to the man in the photo about these incidents and are also appealing for anyone who knows or recognises him, or the red van, to call us or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.