Elderly Residents Warning About Conmen

Elderly residents are being urged not to let people in to their homes unless they are completely sure who they are.

The warning follows a number of recent incidents in Derby, UK, and surrounding towns where conmen have tricked their way into houses by pretending to be either water or gas company officials.

In the most recent case yesterday, a man, pretending to be calling about problems with water supply, called at a house in Belper Road, Derby and persuaded the 75-year-old female occupant to go upstairs and run the taps.

Meanwhile, a conman also tricked his way into the home of a woman in her 90s in Beaufort Street, Chaddesden, claiming he was from the gas board.

She let him in, at about 3pm yesterday and went into a different room but when she returned moments later, she found him searching cupboards.

He fled empty handed.

Derbyshire Police said people should always use a security chain when opening their door to unexpected visitors.

He said: "We would urge residents not to let people into their homes until they are fully confident of who they are and why they're there.

"It's common sense advice. If the callers are bona fide representatives of utility companies or other organisations, they'll be happy to display their identification and wait on the doorstep while you check to see if they are who they say they are."

Between January 1 and yesterday, there have been 30 distraction burglaries in Derbyshire police's D-Division, which covers Derby and South Derbyshire.