Police issue bogus caller alert

Added on Friday 5 Oct 2012

Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a series of bogus caller incidents in Hyndland and Knightswood in the past 10 days.

On Friday, 28 September around noon, a 94 year old woman was in her home in Hyndland when a man came to her door and claimed he was from the water board and needed access to her flat because of a burst pipe.

She let him in but very soon realised she did not trust the man and pressed her panic alarm, and he ran off.

A short time later, a 75 year old woman was at home in Novar Drive when a man came to her door claiming to be from the electricity company and that he needed to check her house and electricity cables.

She let him in and he distracted her by going room to room and then left. Again, he did not steal anything and the woman became concerned that he was not from the electricity company and contacted police.

Later in the afternoon, a 90 year old woman was returning home to her house in Falkland Street when a man approached her on the street and said he was from the gas board and needed access to her flat to check for leaks.

The woman let him in and he distracted her by going room to room, and shortly after he left she realised her handbag containing personal items and some cash had been taken.

On the 24 September, an 81 year old man opened his door in Bassett Avenue, Knightswood to a man who claimed he needed work done on his roof.

He agreed a price and paid the suspect cash, however the suspect has never returned to carry out any work on his property.

Also on 28 September, around 11.30am, a 90 year old woman answered her door to a man who claimed he was from the electricity board. However, the man did not show the elderly lady any identification and she refused him entry and then called police.

On 1 October, a 74 year old woman in Brownside Drive, Knightswood, answered her door to a man who said he was with a company who were drilling the road and needed access to her house.

She let him into her house and he distracted her and went room to room but again, did not manage to steal anything.

Later that day, an 85 year-old woman also in Brownside Drive, Knightswood answered her door to man who said he was there to read her gas meter. She let him in, but, he did not go to the gas meter and started going through other rooms, at which point she insisted he leave her house and he ran out the house.

Officers at Partick CID believe that the same man may be responsible for all these incidents and are appealing for help to trace him.

He is described as white, Scottish with a local accent with short dark brown hair and is of average height. He was wearing a dark jacket and trousers.

Detective Sergeant Ogilvie Ross from Partick CID said: "It appears the person responsible is actively targeting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and we are undertaking extensive inquiries to trace the man who we believe is responsible for these incidents.

"I would appeal to anyone who was in these areas and saw someone acting suspiciously or canvassing door to door, to contact officers.

"I cannot stress our message enough to the public that you must not let anyone into your house unless they show you identification which you should check by phoning the company."