Bogus caller targets 92-year-old in Dorrington
Police are reminding elderly residents not to let strangers into their home after a 92-year-old Shropshire woman had her handbag stolen by a bogus caller.
A man talked his way into the pensioner’s home at Dorrington, near Shrewsbury after saying her roof slates needed repairing and also offering to clean the gutters.
The incident happened at around 7pm yesterday and police are appealing for information about anyone seen acting suspiciously in the village at around that time.
The man claimed to have been doing work at a neighbour’s house. The woman explained she did not need anything doing but he was allowed and on leaving about 15 minutes later, her bag was missing from the lounge near to where he had sat.
There was no money in the tan leather bag but house keys, a diary, disabled badge were among the items inside.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: “The lady was very upset over what happened. We are anxious to receive any information which might help identify the offender. Contact Shrewsbury police station on 101 if you can help.”
The man was described as white, aged about 40 to 50, around 5ft 10ins tall, with short scruffy hair and wearing a blue fleece top and blue work trousers.
“We would remind people not to let strangers knocking on their door inside the home for whatever reason they give,” said the police spokesperson. “Bogus callers such as this man target elderly and vulnerable people, talk their way inside and then seek to distract them so they can steal any valuables at hand.
“Never accept offers of work from cold callers. If jobs need doing on your home or garden, contact a local tradesperson for a quote.”
