Watch out for bogus callers
This week, as we begin to come out of the depths of winter, push the clocks forward, and begin to contemplate all those house and garden chores that need attended to as we approach spring, I would like to remind everyone of the need to be vigilant when people come to your home or business offering to carry out work that you have not requested.
If they are a reputable company, they will leave some documentation or a leaflet and afford you the opportunity to contact them to arrange further consultation.
If they insist on carrying out work right there and then or offer to carry out work/gardening services for a vastly reduced price the chances are they are bogus callers.
As a community, we need to be on the lookout for bogus callers both for ourselves and especially for our neighbours, some of whom may be vulnerable.
In Hamilton Sub-division we operate a nominated neighbour scheme whereby people can nominate a friend or neighbour to be present when they need to speak to anyone in their home.
This is a community safeguard to help prevent bogus type crime and has proved very successful in the past.
Bogus callers come in different guises and are not just people offering garden services.
Around 3pm on Monday, March 20, a 76-year-old woman in Ashgill received a telephone call from someone purporting to be her bank.
The caller was very professional with a local accent and stated he would send a courier to collect her bank card due to the bank replacing them.
About 5.30pm a male attended at her home address to collect the card. She immediately became suspicious and refused to hand over the card.
The male then made off in a silver car.
The male is described as aged 18 to 20, Asian appearance, wearing black t-shirt and black shorts.
Banks will never call you and ask details of your pin number or card.
If they require to replace them, they will always write and make arrangements for replacements to be delivered.
They never uplift old cards.
If you wish further information about bogus callers, or other personal or domestic security please contact Constable Gillian Fothergill at Hamilton Police Office who will be only too happy to assist.
Another crime of note locally was a theft from a motor vehicle on Glasgow Road, Hamilton, about 7.05pm on Tuesday, March 21.
A driver had stopped at the shop and a suspect described as a 16-year-old male, on a child’s scooter, wearing dark tracksuit bottoms with light stripes down each leg, stole her handbag and contents from the car.
If you have any information you feel should be reported or information on any of the crimes previously detailed please contact the police using 101, or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.