Rutland and Lincolnshire farmers urged to be 'vigilant' about scam
Farmers are being warned to ‘remain vigilant’ following news of a scam going around the area which has led to intimidation and attacks.
Award-winning Lincolnshire farmer Andrew Ward has taken to social media to highlight the racket, which he says has led to threats and violence.
Rutland and Spalding are among the places he mentions where this attempted swindle has occurred.
“There’s a scam going on in the east of England at the moment I just thought you ought to be aware of, so that you don’t get caught,” the Farmers’ Weekly Farming Champion and Arable Farmer of the Year said in a video posted on his Twitter account.
“I’ve heard this week in particular areas like Spalding, Rutland, Peterborough, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, where you’ll get a phone call from somebody or a visit at the farm gate or your house.
“They’ll say they’ve got some road repair material left over and they’ll do a job on your yard or your drive or your farm road or in front of your house, and they’ll quote a price.
“When the job’s done they’ll ask for a lot more money than they’ve quoted. If you challenge them they’ll say ‘the price I quoted was a square foot, this now is per square metre price’.”
Mr Ward added that those who have failed to cough up have been the victims of intimidation and attacks.
He continued: “And when you challenge them they get very nasty.
“There’s one farmer who was beaten up badly and seriously injured. There’s another farmer who, these people got hold of his wife and daughter’s phone number and were threatening them down the phone line.
“There’s horrendous intimidation going on. If anyone comes to your farm, to your house or you get a phone call, please don’t let them on in the first place.
“It’s really escalating at the moment in eastern England and it’s escalating fast.”
Mr Ward’s post was shared by the Lincolnshire Police Rural Crime Action Team’s Twitter account, which added: “Please be aware and remain vigilant.”
