Bogus callers prey on elderly

Police warning: Bogus callers prey on elderly

Police issued a further warning to the elderly and vulnerable about bogus callers following distraction burglaries in Leamington Spa, Radford Semele and Southam.

Colour posters to help remind people not to allow strangers into their homes are now available from police stations in South Warwickshire.

They should be kept in a handy place and displayed in a window when an unexpected or suspicious person comes to the door. They also show genuine callers details of a nominated neighbour who can be contacted so that identification can be verified.

A woman in her 80s was visited at her St Margaret's Road, Leamington Spa home at 14:50 on March 9, by a man claiming to represent a water company. He was allowed inside and told the woman to go upstairs to turn on taps in the bathroom. He took £250 cash from her purse before leaving. He is described as a white man aged mid 20s, short blonde hair.

Men claiming to be council workers carrying out checks on water pressure visited two neighbouring properties occupied by elderly people at Semele Close, Radford Semele at around 18:45 on Tuesday evening March 8.

A man knocked on the door of the bungalow and told the 80 year old woman that he had been sent by a neighbour. He claimed to work for the council and said there were problems with the water supply. The woman talked to the man while the front door was open and another man entered to search inside. Jewellery including two gold crosses on chains, aRolex wrist watch and a silver scorpian pendant was stolen.

Both men were white. One was aged about 40 years with blonde hair and wore a blue jumper and blue jeans. The other was older and stocky wearing a dark coloured duffle coat and bobble hat

Police believe the men had visited a 76 year old woman living in a bungalow two doors away just before the burglary. Police have limited details but the woman was told to stay in the bathroom to "check the water "with her dog while her kitchen and lounge were searched and £400 cash stolen. The woman came out of the bathroom to discover both men had gone.

At around 19:15 the same evening an 83 year old man living in Pendicke Court, Southam was visited by two men who told him they needed to check the water pressure. He was suspicious and asked the men to leave. One of the men tried unsuccessfully to force the front door open and the pair left empty handed. Both men were white, one had a round face and stocky the other was slimmer build and average height.

Detectives from South Warwickshire CID are investigating. Any information should be passed to the burglary squad at leamington police station on 01926 415000.