Bogus workmen prey on elderly

On Thursday October 13 at around 4pm a man purporting to be from the water board called at the home of a vulnerable elderly woman on Shirley Grove in Cleckheaton.

The man pressured the woman into letting him into the home, saying that there was an emergency.

The victim noticed that the man did not have any ID on him however and began to challenge him.

The man opened the back door to the home and made off in an unknown direction. Nothing was stolen.

Later that evening, at around 7pm, a man purporting to be from the gas board called at a house on the Greenside estate in Mirfield and asked the 81-year old man if he could check the meter.

As he did so, a second man is believed to have entered the home and stole £650 in cash from inside before leaving unnoticed.

The victim only discovered that he had been burgled after the phoney gas man had left the house.

A 15-year old has been arrested in connection with the Mirfield bogus burglary and is currently on bail while enquiries continue.

Police are now asking people to be vigilant and take precautions when cold callers visit their homes:

A police spokesman said: “Always check the identity of a person calling at your door. Anyone who is from an official body will carry identification which can be checked with their employer. A bona fide caller will be happy for their credentials to be checked, so be wary of anyone who questions the need for you to do so.

“If you have chain on your door please use it to prevent the caller from being able to see into or get into your home. If you are suspicious of any caller do not allow them access to your home and call the police immediately.

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