OAPs targeted by bogus callers (From Congleton Guardian)

OAPs targeted by bogus callers

4:38pm Monday 19th November 2007

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CONGLETON pensioners are being warned to be on their guard for bogus officials and tradesmen.

The call is prompted by 10 incidents of distraction burglaries across Cheshire in the last two weeks.

Three men have appeared in court charged with one such incident at a house in Congleton in which cash was stolen.

Two men were due to appear in court this week charged with burglary, and a third will appear in February.

"Men have called at houses with various stories, usually pretending to be from public utility organisations such as the water companies," said Insp Nigel Groom from the Eastern Area burglary unit.

"While one has kept the occupant talking other men have searched the house for cash.

"As usual they have targeted the elderly and the vulnerable, something which makes this type of crime particularly despicable.

"We are working to catch them, but prevention is always the best tactic.

"You should not let anyone into your home unless you are absolutely certain you know who they are.

"If you answer the door to a stranger keep it on the chain until you are satisfied they are one hundred per cent genuine.

"If this means making a call to the company they are supposed to represent we would ask you to do that.

"We have had quite a lot of success with warnings about this type of crime, and a lot of elderly people have got the message.

"If we work together these distraction burglars can be beaten."

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