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Police hunt cruel conman
1/ 8/2008
POLICE have released CCTV footage of a conman targeting of elderly people in Tameside.
He says he is from the water board, then burgles their home after they have let him in.
Detectives believe he has struck at least 50 times in four months in Denton and Audenshaw and other areas including Wigan, Leigh, Bury, Offerton, Altrincham and Whitefield.
The average age of his victims is 86, the eldest was 96.
The CCTV camera caught the suspect on film as he called at a house in Leigh in April.
One of his victims, 85-year-old Betty Cox, had her purse stolen on June 30.
Betty, a former Gas Board supervisor, said: "The man knocked on the door and asked me to turn my water off."
The man asked her to go to the toilet and hold on to the ballcock and pump the handle to empty the toilet tank while he went upstairs to turn the cold water supply off.
After he went upstairs, he offered to fit a new washer to Betty's cold water tap and went outside to his van.
"I waited a few minutes then wondered where he'd gone", Betty said. "I went to the front door, which was shut, looked out and there was no sign of him. He'd gone. I came back, got in my chair, put my hand behind me to feel for my purse and it had gone too. There was £130 in it, my credit card, pension card and my bus pass.
"I feel stupid, but years ago you would have thought when a plumber knocked at the door there had been a burst.
"I never thought, but I should have asked him if he'd notified the other neighbours. I think I was the only one who answered the door. All the other neighbours were at work. I wouldn't have thought to ask for ID, but I will in future."
Det Insp Derek Weaver said: "It is a sad and depressing fact that some pathetic individuals prey on those members of our society who are the most vulnerable and least able to protect themselves.
"To trick your way into someone's house by abusing their spirit of trust and to then steal from them is cowardly and underhand.
"Many of the victims feel violated by this treatment, and most have been badly affected by the financial losses incurred.
"I would ask everyone to consider their own parents, their grandparents or elderly relatives and friends and ask if they would like this to happen to them."
Anyone with information should contact the police in Tameside on 0161 856 9255 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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IF NOT, WHY NOT ?????
3/08/2008 at 02:21