Washington OAP swindled by Crooked Gardeners

09 Mar 2012

LOCAL RESIDENTS are being warned about bogus callers after a pensioner was almost conned out of £5,000.

Have you made your elderly neighbours and relatives aware of this kind of crime? Do your loved ones have door chains fitted and understand the best way to avoid being a victim of this kind of crime?

Bogus gardener type cons are on the increase as the rogues do not need lots of expensive equipment as part of their  nasty ruse and can use the disguise as a means of  accessing the property.  We have also had incidents reported recently of bogus  Gas Men trying to collect money at the door. Please be cautious and call your elderly relatives today and remind them to be cautious.  Being ripped off in your own home can be mentally devastating and a matter of genuine concern in the North East. Last year various Northern councils had crackdowns so perhaps it's time for another clampdown by the Northumbria Police and Tyne and Wear Councils?

The 65-year-old agreed to pay garden workers £650 for a job, but they later allegedly demanded much more.

The woman contacted police after the incident, which happened in Washington,

Detective Inspector Steve Pescod said: “Generally, our advice is people should not hand over money to anyone who cold calls at their address.”

Anyone with information should call Northumbria Police on 101, extension 69191, or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

As a truly local company we have a number of locksmiths on the Checked and Vetted site who will fit a door chain at very little cost. It's an affordable way to keep your loved ones a little safer.