A1 Loft Conversions of Hersham, Surrey, is currently working on a project in central Richmond and has been made aware of a confidence trickster who has targeted a vulnerable householder in the area.

An elderly resident of Sydney Road in Richmond, lives in a beautiful Georgian property, which is next to a house that A1 is currently working on. She lives with her full time carer who was unfortunately not on the premises at 11.am on Friday 4th January, when an unsavoury character called at her home. He introduced himself as ‘Simon’ and said that he was working on her neighbour’s house and employed by A1 Loft Conversions (which he is not and is unknown to A1). He offered to ‘fix her roof’ for £400 cash and said he would go and buy the materials. Alas, she gave him £300 and he promptly disappeared.

We would like to raise awareness in the Surrey area as regards the fact that A1 Loft Conversions does not operate in this way and would not approach householders, uninvited, in order to offer any kind of building works. A1 is currently working on an extensive number of properties in Surrey and is concerned that this heartless trickster may use this method of theft again.

The lady in Richmond does not want her name and full address published or photographs and is understandably very upset and embarrassed that she has fallen victim to a fraudster and she is concerned for other residents in the community. She informed A1 that she would like to warn others that this man is at large. The lady was encouraged by A1's roofer, still working on her neighbour’s property, to report the incident to the local police, which she has done.

She is a wonderful lady who has led a fascinating life. She was once a florist working next to the Berkley hotel in Mayfair and spent some time working as a model and then set up her own successful decorating business. She deserves to enjoy a peaceful retirement without the stress of feeling unsafe in her own home. We are doing all we can to demonstrate that we care, and support her efforts to protect others.

Steve Mills, the owner of A1 Lofts is going to surprise the lady on Friday 11 January and present her with a bouquet and £300. The Richmond and Twickenham Times will be reporting the incident along with the Surrey Herald. We hope that the residents of Surrey will be vigilant.

Additionally, the A1 roofer, working on the lady's neighbour’s property, has offered to do work on her roof free of charge.

To view the piece featured in the Richmond and Twickenham Times copy and paste the link below onto your toolbar:


http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/richmondnews/10168166.Roofers_to_the_rescue_after_Richmond_woman_conned_out_of___300/