Hunt for workmen after OAP is conned

Police are hunting bogus workmen who conned a 91-year-old woman out of a three-figure sum of money. Officers are appealing for witnesses after the woman was targeted in Addiewell on Friday, May 2.

The incident happened around 10am in the village’s Meadowhead Place when workmen attended to cut a hedge.

They refused to give a price before they started the work and then demanded an unreasonable sum when they had finished.

When the householder went upstairs for the money, one of the men entered her house and she handed over a sum of money which police said was at “the higher end of three figures”.

They left in a small white van with green writing on the side.

Officers are now urging anyone with information to get in touch.

One of the men was aged about 30 with black hair that was short at the sides and long on top.

The second man was aged about 50, around five feet seven inches tall with grey hair.

Police Constable Gary Beattie, from Whitburn Police Station, said: “Bogus workmen target the most vulnerable people in our society but anyone can fall foul of their criminal techniques – they are professional con artists.

“On this occasion a 91-year-old woman has been charged an exorbitant sum of money for an hour’s work and we are very keen to trace the individuals responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.