Cowboy handymen targeting elderly residents in Old Hill have prompted the police to issue a public appeal this week.

The two men, who the police said have been “blatantly overcharging for their poor services,” were reported as cold calling door to door in Tresawle Road and Bowles Road on Monday (April 29).

They were also spotted loading up their white Transit van at the Old Hill end of Grenville Road on Saturday (April 27).

Sgt Phil Binnie, from Falmouth Police Station, said they were “targeting elderly residents in particular” and “blatantly over charging for their poor services whilst carrying out relatively minor works.”

On one occasion they even left without completing the work that was agreed.

Described as white and aged between 30 and 40, one of the pair is approximately six feet tall, thin with a moustache and short dark hair.

The other is described as shorter and stocky with a shaven haircut.

Sgt Binnie urged the public to be “vigilant regarding this type of incident” and asked that anyone with a “potentially vulnerable” family member or neighbour “please keep a caring eye on them so that if they are approached or you see something that appears not quite right, you can then take the appropriate course of action.

“As with most incidents like this a vehicle is used,” he added, “so registration numbers are vital to any investigation - as are descriptions - so when possible please record this information.”

Anyone with any information on the van or the cowboy handymen can contact the police on 101 ref GP/13/825.