Bogus callers strike again

please make your elderly and vulnerable neighbours and relatives that there are a gang of bogus callers in the area they have already struck in bentilee and bucknall. please refuse to let anyone in without a prior appointment.

 

 

 

Be aware of bogus callers

 

Staffordshire Police is warning people to be on their guard against suspicious callers at the door following seven distraction-type incidents in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.
The families of the elderly and vulnerable are also being encouraged to warn their relatives against opening the door to such callers.
The advice comes after bogus officials struck at homes in Chesterton, Kidsgrove, Mow Cop, Burslem, Newcastle and Bucknall throughout yesterday, Tuesday 13 September.
It is believed three or four men are working together and used water-related rouses to try and trick their way into the homes of elderly and vulnerable people. The offenders may have access to a grey-coloured vehicle.
Between 10am and 10.30am the offenders called at a property in Third Avenue, Kidsgrove, and claimed to be from the ‘water board’.
The offenders called at the home of an 83-year-old woman in Audley Road, Chesterton, at approximately 11.50am yesterday, claiming they needed to check the water.
At approximately 2pm a man called at the address of a 92-year-old man in Derby Place, Newcastle, claiming he was there to repair the toilet. After the man had left it was discovered a quantity of cash was missing from the property.
An offender claiming to be from the ‘water board’ tricked his way into the home of an 85-year-old woman in Dorchester Walk, Bentilee, at approximately 2.30pm.
At approximately 4.15pm a man tricked his way into a property in Robert Heath Street, Burslem, claiming the water needed to be turned off because the road had been dug up. He fled the scene after realising the occupant’s granddaughter was in the house.
An offender called at the home of two adjacent properties in Moorland Road, Mow Cop, at approximately 5.40pm asking to check the water.
An investigation into all the incidents is now underway by detectives, who are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry including extensive house-to-house enquiries and gathering (CCTV) closed circuit television footage from the locality.
Officers want to speak to anyone with information, or who saw suspicious persons and/or vehicles in the area prior to the incident.
Residents are encouraged to contact police if and every time they have suspicions about any caller at their door.
Even if someone claims to be an official - and that includes police officers and council representatives - people must get their ID checked out.

Residents are asked to remain vigilant at all times and to follow this advice:

• Never trust anyone calling at the door without a prior appointment. Should you receive such a call leave the door locked. The caller will hear you through the door when you ask them who they are. If they state they are from a utilities company ask for your account number, they should have this, if not, do not let them in and tell them to leave, and that you are calling the Police.
• Always ask for ID, and check it.
• Do not allow anyone to carry work out on your home, or sell you anything when they cold call at the door. If you do require work to be done, INSTIGATE IT YOURSELF, by phoning three companies asking for like for like quotes. Then decide.
• Do not keep large amounts of cash in your home, you may think that you have the perfect hiding place, but these criminals will find it.
• Please remember there is no such company as the Water Board, Gas Board or Electric Board. These words are only used by offenders.
• Always report any suspicious behaviour to the police, if you think it is suspicious, it probably is.
• Keep your doors locked even when you are home.

Residents should also follow the stop, chain and check rule when people call at the door:

• STOP - If you are not expecting anybody and they don’t have an appointment - don’t let them in
• CHAIN - Use your door chain or bar before opening the door
• CHECK - Ask to see ID and double check this.