Neighbourhood Watch
The scam described below is happening in Bristol at the moment but could be anywhere and our neighbours need warning about these parasites who pray on the elderly and vulnerable.
David Duckworth
8th January 2010
Bristol pensioners target of big freeze con
Friday, January 08, 2010, 07:00
Police are on the hunt for conmen who are using the freezing weather to target pensioners in their homes.
Crooks have been claiming they need to check the boiler or pipes because of the cold snap as a ploy to steal cash and jewellery.
There have been five similar reported incidents and all the victims have been in their 80s or 90s.
Police spokeswoman Jenny Bigwood said: "In Mangotsfield, an 86-year-old woman was told neighbours had problems with frozen water and the caller needed to check her boiler. When he left she found a significant amount of cash was missing. It happened at about 6pm on Tuesday, December 29.
"At 7pm the same evening, a 90-year-old man from Frampton Cotterell had his wall safe containing documents and a cheque book stolen after letting in a man who talked about frozen pipes."
At about 12.50pm on December 30, two men called on an 87-year-old man in Speedwell claiming they needed to check his boiler. When they left he found cash missing.
In Greenbank, a 90-year-old woman had a caller who asked to check for frozen pipes. Her bedrooms were searched but nothing was reported stolen in the incident at about 12.40pm on New Year's Eve.
Ms Bigwood added: "At about 8.15pm on Tuesday, a man knocked at the door of an 81-year-old woman in New Cheltenham and said he needed to check her boiler. Thankfully nothing seems to have been stolen in this incident."
All the victims have described their visitor as white, aged 20 to 30 and short, with short, fair or light-coloured hair. A second man seen at the house in Speedwell was said to be about 30, 6ft tall, of large build and scruffy.
South Gloucestershire Detective Inspector Richard Budd said: "I would ask people to look out for their vulnerable elderly family and friends. Call police immediately if you are suspicious of anyone knocking on the door of frail elderly people in your street. Thankfully the simple step of never opening your door without the door chain does prevent this type of crime."
Police advise always using a door chain, ask to see identification, join the utility companies' password schemes. If you're unsure of a caller, don't open the door and phone the police about anything suspicious on 0845 4567000.
If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 0845 456
7000 or you can call anonymously to the independent charity
CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111. For general information about Neighbourhood
Watch nationally see the www.mynhw.co.uk website.
David Duckworth is the local Neighbourhood Watch contact.
Site Last Updated - 28/08/2010 16:45:02
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