Don’t fall victim to con artists
Vulnerable and elderly people are often the target of confidence tricksters, and in the last two weeks this has been particularly prevalent in the Lanarkshire area.
Heartless individuals who prey on the sympathetic nature of their targets use a variety of methods to try to trick people into handing over their property or cash.
Looking for change of a larger bank note or tricking a person into handing over their bag or purse for a moment leads to distraction or confusion, and often ends with money being taken from someone who can ill-afford to lose it.
People who do this have no regard for the consequences of the people they steal from.
The vulnerable are not alone in being targeted and many members of the public, and even shop staff, can be conned by the various ways these professional thieves go about their business. Victims often don’t report incidents, because they think it was their own fault or are unsure if it happened by mistake.
If you find yourself in a situation where you feel pressured or confused, do not hand over money or property to anyone else, and report it to police.
On February 9, in the villages of Douglas and Rigside, two females are strongly suspected of involvement in targeting elderly victims for money and managed to obtain a three-figure sum of money in one incident.
The descriptions of the females in both incidents are very similar, with one of them wearing a distinctive white camel coat. Both females are described as being aged between 25 and 40, well-dressed, sallow-skinned and possibly of eastern European origin.
Then on February 25, various homes in Uddingston were targeted by a male in a silver ‘15’ plate Skoda Octavia motor car, which had been earlier stolen from outside a house in Rutherglen. The vehicle has not yet been recovered at the time of writing.
If you see a vehicle of this type and registration acting suspiciously, please don’t hesitate to call the police. Please remember to keep your homes and vehicles locked and secured.
Two male prowlers were seen in the gardens of two separate homes in Rowan Gardens in the Hareleeshill area of Larkhall on February 25. A vehicle was seen in the area at the time and police are making further enquiries in relation to this vehicle, but we would welcome any information relating to these males identities.
In Hamilton town centre, two youths were arrested by police for allegedly breaking into the premises of Tesco Express and Mccoll’s in the early hours of Sunday morning. This was as a result of good work by local officers and both of these youths will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Finally, The Haven in Blantyre Health Centre sustained offensive graffiti and other damage over the weekend of February 23 to 26. This was particularly upsetting for staff and those who attend the centre.
If you have any information relating to this or other information you feel should be reported to the police, contact us using the non-emergency number 101, or via Crimestoppers.