Police warning as conmen strike

PENSIONERS are being urged to give bogus callers the cold shoulder following a spate of burglaries in Failsworth and Shaw.

In four of the six incidents, the offender knocked on the victim’s door and said he was waiting for a neighbour to return home. Once inside the house he stole cash and fled.

The man is described as white, 5’7’’ tall, around 50-years-old, with medium-build with short, dark hair and a scruffy appearance.

There have also been incidents of men posing as officials from the electric board or saying they have come to fix the fencing.

In these cases, the two people involved have both been described as white and around 30-years-old.

Det Chief Insp Phil Reade said: “I cannot emphasise enough the importance of people checking the identity of callers to their home.

“If you are not expecting them, treat them with suspicion and do not let them in unless you have checked ID and are absolutely certain that they are genuine callers.

“We are currently investigating these reports and neighbourhood policing teams are visiting older residents to give crime prevention advice.

“I also encourage the public to help us by reporting suspicious behaviour to us and people to look out for their vulnerable family members and neighbours.”