Police warn against bogus callers (From Malvern Gazette)

Police praise elderly woman and warn against bogus callers in Worcestershire

5:19pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Sarah Taylor

AN elderly woman has been praised by police after two bogus water company officials tried to get into her home in Worcestershire.

The two men called at the home of the woman, who is in her 80s, at about 12.45pm on Wednesday.

Despite their best efforts to trick their way into her home in Dilmore Avenue, Fernhill Heath, including offering her £20 to let them in, she refused.

The two men, who were both white and driving a white van, were not wearing uniforms and did not have ID on them.

One is described as being in his 30s, around 5ft 3ins tall, and stocky. He was wearing a light blue shirt under a dark blue jumper and denim.

The other was described as being in his 20s, around 6ft tall, thin and with black hair. He was wearing overalls.

Burglary detectives are now warning elderly people in Worcestershire to be on their guard.

Detective Inspector Richard Rees, who leads the team investigating burglaries in South Worcestershire, said: "I want to praise the lady they tried to con because she did all the right things.

"She then called the police immediately and because we take distraction burglaries so seriously, we conducted area searches for the van straight away, unfortunately without success on this occasion.

"If you have suspicious callers, or if men matching these descriptions have been to your home in recent days, please call the police."
Anyone with information about bogus callers should contact the police on non emergency number 101.