Bogus plumber stole £1,400 from pensioner
POLICE ISSUE CCTV IMAGES TO HELP INVESTIGATION
A MAN who claimed to be a plumber stole more than £1,400 from an elderly woman in a Nottinghamshire town.
The man called at the victim’s house in Stapleford, claiming he was there to check her boiler, and took money before leaving.
Police have now issued CCTV images and are urging the public to be vigilant.
Investigator Martin Prentice said: “The man knocked on the vulnerable woman’s door and explained to her how he was checking a boiler at a house down the road and he needed to check her boiler too.
“She trusted him and let him into her home. He then distracted her by asking her to turn the taps on and off.
“Around £400 was taken from her purse. Meanwhile more than £1,000 and a gold chain was also taken from a drawer in her bedroom.
“I would also urge other people living in the area – especially those who are vulnerable – not to answer the door to anybody who calls unannounced, especially somebody claiming to be a workman.
“No reputable workman or engineer would call in this way so please do not allow them into your home. If you are concerned about somebody then please call the police at the earliest opportunity.
“We are asking anyone who has any information or was in the Hillfield Road area at around 2.15pm on April 6 to help with our enquiries. If you recognise the man pictured then please get in touch. We would like to speak to him in connection with the incident. If you can help please call 101, quoting incident 341 of April 6, 2021.”
No reputable workman or engineer would call in this way
Inspector Martin Prentice