Hunt is on for the bogus council worker

THE hunt is on to catch a crook who claimed to be a council worker before stealing cash.

The 69-year-old victim, who lives on Holme Avenue, in Whickham, Gateshead, received a call from a man claiming to work for the council on Monday.

He knew his first name and told him he needed to arrange a utility service inspection at his address.

The man turned up at th house at 6.45pm carrying a dark holdall and wearing overalls.

He was carrying a clipboard but did not offer any identification.

He entered a number of rooms before leaving with a quantity of cash.

The victim contacted police when he realised the money was missing.

An investigation into the bogus caller has now been launched and detectives are appealing for anyone with any information.

The suspect is white, of slim build, around 5ft 11in, in his mid 30s and with dark short hair.

Det Con Shaun Atherton, said: “This was a planned and calculated burglary where the offender has gone to extreme lengths to deceive his victim.

“We would not be surprised if he has tried to do this before or if he attempts to do it again and we need help from the public to identify him and speak to him about the incidents.

“If you have been contacted by somebody with similar claims then we need to hear from you so we can prevent this from happening again.

“Victims in these types of cases tend to be vulnerable people so we would ask family members and neighbours to look out for those people who could be targeted by opportunistic criminals.

“Genuine traders and council workers will always be happy to show identification.”

If you saw this man acting call 101 quoting log 155 26/04/17 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.