Merton Council is warning residents against a bogus bin man operating in the borough.

The council has received several reports from residents saying a 45-year-old black man, 5″10 tall of stocky build and wearing either an orange or yellow high viz coat, has been calling at residential properties throughout the borough offering to take away residents’ rubbish and bulky items for a fee. He times his round just ahead of the legitimate council-employed dustmen. Once he seals the deal with unsuspecting householders, he dumps the refuse and bulky items in the street, walking away cash in hand.

The council is asking residents to contact its enforcement section on 020 8545 3170 if they are approached by someone offering to remove their rubbish and bulky waste for a cash fee.

Residents needing their bulky waste collected can call the council on 020 8274 4902 or log on to http://www.merton.gov.uk/refuse/bulky for further information.

Merton Council cabinet member for environment and leisure services Councillor David Simpson said: “We always work to put the needs of our residents first, so we want this man caught so that residents are not duped into handing over money to a criminal. It can be intimidating too for some of our more vulnerable residents when people come knocking at their door offering a service for money.

‘It is also worth warning residents, that if they don’t check that the person offering a waste removal service is legitimate and has a licence, they may be liable to pay any fines for illegally-dumped rubbish that can be traced back to them. They may even have to go to court. So, for this reason alone, it is worth checking who is offering to take away your rubbish.”

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