July 25, 2011 2.56 pm This story is over 151 months old

Police warning to city’s elderly over conmen

Fake claims: police are warning residents to be wary of people knocking on their doors claiming to be from organisations.

Lincolnshire Police are warning Lincoln’s elderly residents to be on guard after two incidents of conmen trying to get into people’s homes on Friday July 22.

The first took place in St Peter’s Avenue at around 2.30pm.

An offender knocked on the door of a 75-year-old woman claiming to be from the “Water Board”.

He said there has been an explosion in Lincoln and he needed to turn her water supply off.

The woman let the man in and he searched the property, though it is not thought anything was stolen.

The suspect is white, slim and in his 30s with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark blue coat.

A similar incident took place in Ryecroft at around 6pm on the same day.

Two men claiming to be from a local newspaper asked to be let into a couple’s home.

When they were refused entry the men became abusive and aggressive, but left the scene in a grey VW Passat.

One of the offenders was described as around 5ft 11in tall with a small moustache. He spoke with a Geordie accent and was wearing a black suit and a black tie with a red pattern.

Police are not ruling out a link between the two incidents.

Fortunately nothing was stolen. However, police warn that this type of incident happens regularly in Lincolnshire.

Vulnerable people are targeted, like the disabled and elderly.

Police advise residents to refuse access to any callers at their door unless they have provided ID and that ID has been checked with the firm or organisation they claim to be from.

If you have any information relating to Friday’s incidents you can contact Lincolnshire Police on 0300 111 0300.

Source: Lincolnshire Police | Photo: Ben Ellwood