One charged and two arrested in connection with rogue trader fraud and aggravated burglary in Fareham

On Tuesday 16 April, officers from across the force carried out three simultaneous warrants at addresses in Titchfield, Portsmouth and Fordingbridge in connection with an incident of rogue trader fraud and aggravated burglary, which was reported to us in March 2023.

We received reports on Monday 13 March 2023 that an 81 year-old man from Fareham had been forced to pay £40,000 for work on his house and garden that he did not ask for and was never completed. The traders had also expressed an interest in an expensive watch the man owned. Several days later, his home was broken into and the watch was stolen.

An investigation was launched by the Eastern Investigations department and, after the execution of the warrants last week, three men have been arrested.

A 28 year-old man from Fordingbridge has been arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and is due to appear in court next month following the issuing of a postal requisition.

A 47 year-old man from Portsmouth has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and fraud. He has been conditionally bailed while enquiries continue.

Additionally, we were assisted at Gatwick Airport yesterday by colleagues from Sussex Police in arresting a 34 year-old man from Titchfield upon his re-entering the country.

Henry Smith of Southampton Road, Titchfield has been charged with four counts of fraud by misrepresentation. The charges relate to four separate incidents and a total loss of approximately £150,000. He remains in police custody and has been remanded to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court today (Wednesday 24 April).