Tree scam mob nicked

A gang of bogus tree surgeons was caught after one offered to prune a telegraph pole.

Travellers Albert Bowers, Edward Smith and Maurice Smith charged elderly victims up to £2,750 for 45 minutes.

But one woman called police after Bowers offered to prune the ivy-covered telegraph pole, claiming it was a “poplar tree”.

When police raided one of the gang’s caravans they found £225,530 in cash. The case followed work at 24 homes in Hants, Berks, Sussex and Surrey.