Fordingbridge man arrested amid Hampshire police raids over rogue trader fraud and aggravated burglary in Fareham

A New Forest man has been arrested in connection with an alleged rogue trader fraud and aggravated burglary over a year ago.

The Fordingbridge man was among three detained as police across Hampshire raided three addresses in the town, Titchfield and Portsmouth on Tuesday, after investigations into the Fareham offences.

The arrests are in connection with an 81-year-old local man who was forced to pay £40,000 for unwanted and unfinished work on his house and garden, reported on 13th March last year.

The traders also showed interest in an expensive watch owned by the pensioner, before his home was broken into several days later and it was stolen.

A probe had been launched by the eastern investigations department.

Arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon, the 28-year-old Fordingbridge man was issued a postal requisition to appear in court next month.

Officers also arrested a 47-year-old Portsmouth man on suspicion of aggravated burglary and fraud, later bailing him as enquiries continue.

With help from Sussex police at Gatwick Airport, a 34 year-old Titchfield man was arrested on re-entering the country.

Henry Smith, of Southampton Road, Titchfield, has been charged with four counts of fraud by misrepresentation over an alleged £150,000 gained.

Remanded in custody, he was due to have appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday).