POLICE have warned people not to fall victim to bogus callers.
The advice follows a burglary in Blacon on Saturday (April 2) involving a man who called at the home of an elderly woman, claiming to be from a water company.
After asking her to switch the water supply off he stole cash and two antique coins.
Genuine workmen had been working on water mains in the same street for several days and water company signs were still visible, protecting a hole in the path.
Detective constable Rhys Nevett of the Chester Outer Neighbourhood Policing Unit said: “This burglar obviously took advantage of the circumstances to make his story more believable. It is another nasty twist to what is a very nasty type of crime.
“Water companies are unlikely to have workmen out on Saturdays except for emergency work, and any genuine representative from a utility company would make an appointment and produce identification.
“These criminals are totally unscrupulous. They are targeting the old and the vulnerable and will use any trick to get hold of cash and valuables.”
Detective inspector Sharon Case urged friends and neighbours of elderly and vulnerable people to keep an eye on them, adding: “We warn people not to be taken in by these tricksters. Keep your door chained, always ask for ID and make a phone call to verify the person is who he or she claims to be.
The man involved in this incident is described as white, in his forties, and about five feet five inches tall.
He was wearing an old-fashioned peaked cap and grey jacket and may have had an Irish accent.
Anyone with information about this incident can contact DC Nevett on the Cheshire Police information line 0845 458 0000 quoting incident number 501 of April 2.
