Catford residents are being warned about an alleged bogus roofer who has been knocking on doors.

A woman took to the Facebook group SE6 SE13 Lewisham Catford Community to warn of a suspicious man around Blythe Hill Fields.

She said: “Please be aware of white male age 30 - 40 5 foot 8 to 10 inches. Blue shirt. Shiney face blond/mousey hair staking out houses around Blythe Hill Fields.

“He pretends to be a roofer whose previously fixed your roof, left pretty sharpish when challenged. He covers his hands with his shirt when he knocks the door.”

A man commented on the post saying: “I had a strange guy like this knock on the door and offer me home improvements. I declined only for him to knock again a couple days later telling the Mrs we had agreed some work.

“I was upstairs sleeping and when she said she would get me he left. Caught him loitering outside the house a couple days after that. Politely told him that I will forcefully remove him or his teeth if I see him outside the house again.”

A Lewisham police spokesman has suggested that if you are worried about any builders, cold callers or possible rogue traders you should contact your local council trading standards.

He said: “If they feel that their intentions are more sinister or intimidating then call 101 to report the suspicious behaviour and officers will deploy based on the actions of the people or information given if needed.

“The workers could be genuine and completely reputable. However, some criminals use the cover of reputable businesses to hide them looking for potential homes to break into.

"There is nothing wrong with residents calling 101 to report concerns they have, this allows the police to know what is happening in their local communities which if un-reported allows criminals to get away un-checked.

“Incidents like this are to be reported on the non-emergency 101 system unless someone is in immediate danger or a crime is taking place when residents should call 999.”