Conman tries to dupe Walsall couple over bees nest

The West Midlands Police force helicopter was dispatched to Walsall after the conman, posing as a gardener, approached a couple in their 80s at their home in Pelsall.

He claimed their garden had a bees nest that was causing concern among neighbours and offered to get rid of the problem in exchange for the exorbitant fee. The bees nest, however, did not exist.

The pensioners declined to pay and after becoming suspicious they spoke to their neighbours who dialled 999.

Police were on the scene within minutes of the call being made at 9am on Wednesday and the force helicopter joined the search for the suspect's vehicle.

The pair reported the man driving off in a red box van, and minutes later, officers found a vehicle matching the description parked in Walsall Road, Great Wyrley.

After a brief chase on foot, they arrested a 26-year-old on suspicion of attempted burglary.

He remains in police custody where he is being questioned about the visit to the couple's home on Wednesday and other reported rogue trader-type incidents involving people offering gardening services in the Walsall area.

Inquiries are continuing to trace a second suspect who was seen running away from the parked van.

Police have warned residents to remain vigilant and stay on their guard when dealing with doorstep callers.

Det Sgt Steve Walters, from Bloxwich CID, said: "You should always be suspicious about people arriving at your house unannounced offering their services.

"This couple did exactly the right thing, told him to leave and contacted police. They later searched through their garden and checked with neighbours but there was no sign of a bees nest.

"Rogue traders can be very convincing and innovative in the ruses they use to try and get people to part with their money – this time it was a bees nest, but others have included rat catching, burst water pipes, questionnaires and meter readers."

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area or who saw the movements of the red box van on Wednesday to get in touch.

It comes after it recently emerged there had been an increase in reports of conmen trying to get money out of people by offering to trim hedges in Walsall. A conman posing as a trading standards officer also tried to trick a householder into handing over £2,000.

The cold calls took place in Darlaston and Willenhall with three reported to the council in less than nine months.

Pelsall councillor Oliver Bennett said: "It is very worrying to see this happening.

"When you have a good local community it is important that everyone just keeps an eye out for each other," he added.

Witnesses to the latest incident should call Bloxwich CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.