DURING the past year, the Oxford Mail has reported many cases of fraud to vulnerable people, impostors gaining entry to properties posing as tradesmen and, sadly a fatality, all related to the plumbing and heating industry.

Can I, in an attempt to lessen these incidents in future, ask all householders and people who have the responsibility for issuing work orders for the public sector, letting agencies, care homes and housing associations to engage the services of a plumbing and heating engineer, and ask to see their Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE) registration card which they carry.

This will guarantee that the holder is a fully qualified and competent engineer trained to the City & Guilds or NVQ level 3 standard.

Members constantly update their knowledge of new regulations and products by attending professional development evening courses held by the institute, who also have a complaints procedure which will investigate any incompetent or unprofessional allegations against members.

A few minutes spent checking out our members’ credentials could save a lot of heartache and possibly lives.

May I conclude by stating that the CIPHE is not a trade organisation but a professional charity always looking to improve plumbing standards.

DC WRIGHT, The Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering Thames Valley Branch, Oxford