85yrs victim of bogus caller

September 15, 2012, 12:44 pm

Police in North Tyneside are appealing for information following a bogus caller incident.

At around 1pm, on Friday, September 14, a man called at an address on Bavington Gardens, Cullercoats, occupied by an 85-year-old woman.

The caller falsely claimed to be collecting money for work completed on the house by a legitimate company while another man waited in a van outside the address.

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The man entered the property before taking a quantity of cash from the victim for the block paving work he claimed to have carried out. He then made off in a van with the second man.

The caller is described as 60 to 70 years-old, 5ft 10 to 5ft 11ins tall, well built, clean shaven, with brown hair turning grey.

The second is described as a teenager who waited in a light grey transit style van without writing on it.

Superintendent Peter Farrell, from North Tyneside Area Command, said: “We would urge anyone who has any information about this incident or who thinks they may have seen these two men to come forward.

“We are following several lines of enquiry to trace them.

“As always, we would ask householders to be vigilant when answering the door to someone they aren’t expecting and not allow people access to their home that they don’t know.

“Anyone claiming to be an official or tradesperson should have ID which should be checked. 

“A genuine caller will not mind calling back while their credentials are checked or the homeowner requests someone to be with them.

“We would also ask people to consider their neighbours who are elderly or vulnerable and whether any visitors they have may be unexpected or behave in a way which causes concern.

“Anyone who sees anything suspicious in their area or has any information about this incident should contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 extension 69191 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.