Elderly Shropshire residents praised for out-thinking bogus caller

All three residents - the eldest being 93 - refused to let a man into their homes at Oswestry when he called last night claiming there was a problem with gas and electricity supplies.

He claimed he needed to check their supplies and even showed what appeared to be a home-made identity tag. But on each occasion he was told to go away and the residents then contacted police, a neighbour or a relative.

Shropshire's senior detective praised their response saying they had all remembered the golden rule not to let strangers knocking on the door inside the premises.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards said: "They did everything right. This man was up to no good and the residents were immediately suspicious. Better still, they refused to open the door to him and spoke either through the door or a window."

The man, described as in his twenties, square jawed and wearing a woolly hat, first called at an isolated home in Maesbury at around 7.40pm. He knocked at both the front and back doors but the occupier refused to open up and spoke to him through a window.

He claimed there had been a gas explosion and needed to come inside to make checks.

About 20 minutes later, a similar incident occurred in Greyfriars, Oswestry, when a man called on an elderly resident saying there had been an emergency with the gas and electricity. The occupier said he was wearing what appeared to be a home-made label round his neck with the words "Emergency Service". He refused to let the man inside.

Within minutes, at around 8.15pm, the man tried the same ruse at a home in Western Drive and was seen to leave in a vehicle after being refused entry.

DCI Edwards said: "Fortunately, these kinds of distraction burglary incidents are fairly rare in Shropshire but when they happen, it is usually elderly people who are targeted.

"I have no doubts this man was trying to get inside the homes to see what he could steal. However, the residents had their wits about them and did everything right.

"It is important to remember that under no circumstances should a stranger be allowed into the home, whatever the reason they give. Bogus callers usually claim to be from a utility company such as the ‘water board' or the council and insist on coming inside to check something out. Don't let them in and call the police immediately on 0300 333 3000."

He added that if genuine work needed to be carried out, then the authorities would give advance notification in wiriting.