Be wary of rogue traders
This week we received a report from an elderly female who resides at Teme Place, Mossneuk that over the last 10 days, a bogus workmen has been attending at her door pressurising her into having work carried out on her property.
This work is unnecessary and overpriced. The male is described as aged around 50, white Irish, small, stalky build with grey hair and wearing a high viz jacket. The male is believed to drive a white Transit-style van. I would ask all residents of East Kilbride and Strathaven to look out for their elderly or vulnerable family members and neighbours who may be targeted by bogus workmen.
Keep an eye out for strange vans in your street, predominantly those parked in neighbours’driveways that you don’t recognise.
Ensure that your relatives are not regularly taking large amounts of cash out of the bank and although it can be difficult please try to make arrangements for your relative’s house to be kept well maintained to prevent it from being immediately obvious that an elderly person resides at the address, especially if they live alone.
Unfortunately, doorstep criminals often target the same victims so if you have a relative or neighbour who has been the victim of bogus crime previously please be particularly alert.
If you suspect that a caller is suspicious or if you feel that you are being threatened and intimated into having work carried out please contact us immediately on 999.
If you would like more advice about doorstep crime or you have observed something suspicious in your area then please contact us on 101. You can also contact us anonymously with information via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Also this week we have received three separate reports of thefts from motor vehicles overnight in the St Leonards, Calderwood and the Village areas of East Kilbride. The three victims of these crimes have reported having tools stolen from their vehicles.
Your local community police officers are carrying out investigations into these crimes, however, there are a few simple things that you can do to prevent your motor vehicle from being broken into. Ensure that your motor vehicle alarm is working and set. Lock all items out of sight and don’t leave anything or display, if possible take valuables with you and don’t leave expensive equipment in your vehicle overnight and always park in a busy, well-lit area.