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Gloucestershire Business News

Cruel conmen target the county's elderly

Once again heartless tricksters are preying on Gloucestershire's old folk.

In the latest incident a Forest of Dean woman in her 80s became the victim of a distraction burglary after a man knocked her door and claimed to be from the water board.

It happened at approximately 12.30pm on June 1 when the unfortunate victim, who lives on Morse Lane, Drybrook, answered the door to a man who said he needed to check the water pressure.

The offender instructed the vulnerable victim to empty contents from under her kitchen and bathroom sink so he could access the pipes.

While they were both in the bathroom with the door closed behind them, it is believed a second offender entered the premises and a substantial amount of money was stolen from the property. Police said the victim has been left very shaken up by the ordeal.

The man spoke in a strong Irish accent and is described as white, aged in his 30s, 5ft 6ins in height, of medium build and was clean shaven. The offender was wearing a beige or light grey baseball cap with 'Formula 1' printed on the front, with a red and white checked shirt and possibly shorts.

It is believed the man was seen leaving the premises in a white 15 plate Volkswagen, which could have been a Golf with a twin exhaust.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious should contact 101 and quote incident number 263 of 1 June.

Gloucestershire Constabulary would like to highlight the following steps which can help prevent people from becoming victims.

• If someone knocks on your door check who it is by looking through a window or peep hole.

• If it is not someone you know or trust or a business caller who has made a pre-arranged appointment, do not open the door.

• This advice applies whatever uniform the caller appears to be wearing or ID card they are carrying and however urgent their business claims to be.

• Tell unexpected callers to leave and come back later at an agreed time when you can have someone with you.

• In the meantime, check their credentials by calling the organisation they claim to represent. Do so by looking up the number in the phone book rather than relying on the one on their card as this could simply put you through to an accomplice of a potential offender.

• Genuine staff from utility companies won't mind waiting while you do this or will call back later.

• Watch if the caller appears to be in a hurry and never feel pressured or embarrassed into letting someone in.

• The golden rule is 'if in doubt, keep them out'.

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