Detectives warn residents after bogus callers target elderly in Tarvin

Jan 28 2010 by Ben Coulbeck, Chester Chronicle

POLICE are warning residents to be vigilant against bogus callers after an elderly woman was targeted in Tarvin.

At 1.15pm on Wednesday, January 20, three men purporting to be water board officials gained entry to the female’s house, on Hockenhull Avenue, Tarvin, but left empty-handed.

They are described as being aged in their 20s or 30s, in casual dress and having Irish accents.

Detectives are linking the incident to another attempted bogus call made 25 minutes later in nearby Winsford.

A 67-year-old woman allowed a well-built man with collar-length brown hair and speaking in an Irish accent into her house after he said he wanted to turn the premises’ water off. He fled the building empty-handed after the owner became suspicious of his behaviour.

A Cheshire police spokesperson said: “Always ask for formal identification and to check they are genuine by calling the company they claim to be from. Never allow anyone access to your home if you have any uncertainty that they are genuine.”

Detectives are appealing to anyone who may have been approached by the men to contact them on 0845 458 0000.