People in Telford are being warned to be on their guard against rogue street sellers after some customers claim they were sold broken televisions and another fake 18 carat gold jewellery, police today said.

Homeowners are being warned by officers after several people were sold flat screen televisions only to bring them home and discover they did not work. The street sellers have told police they were only selling the items for spare parts.

Denise Wakefield, spokeswoman for Telford police, said officers had received a number of complaints from members of the public claiming to have been “ripped off” by some street sellers.

She said a member of the public complained after he bought an 18 carat gold chain but later realised it was in fact just gold plated.

Sergeant Lance Broad, from Telford police, said: “It appears there has been a rise in people selling goods, especially flat screen televisions and jewellery, from the back of Transit vans.

“The sellers are telling customers that they are being offered a good bargain, when in fact the televisions don’t work and the jewellery is not what the customer thought it was when they initially purchased it.

“We have spoken to the sellers, who have receipts for the items, and they have told us that they are selling the items for spares.

“Our advice to members of the public is to be aware and to think about what they are purchasing before they part with their money.

“If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is.”

He added officers were investigating the claims and were now working with Telford & Wrekin Council Trading Standards in a bid to inform residents.

Russell Griffin, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council Trading Standards, said: “People should always make sure they buy from a reputable source who they can go back to should there be any problems with the goods they have purchased.

“If members of the public have any complaints relating to being mis-sold goods, they should call Trading Standards.”

For more information or advice, contact Telford & Wrekin Council Trading Standards on (01952) 381999 or its general advice line on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/telford

By Jason Lavan