Doorstep conmen target pensioner
Tessa Watkins • Published 9 Feb 2011 09:30
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POLICE are hunting doorstep conmen who tricked an elderly woman at her west Reading home before stealing her purse and alcohol.
The 86-year-old victim answered the door at 6.15pm yesterday (Wednesday) to two men who claimed to be doing some water piping work in the area.
While one of the men looked at the pipes in the kitchen, his accomplice asked the old lady to show him the upstairs pipes. He kept her talking in the bathroom for 10 minutes and shouted out to his friend before they returned downstairs.
After they left, the pensioner discovered that her purse, containing a small amount of cash, and a bottle of Baileys was missing.
John McNicholas, Reading crime reduction adviser, said: "Unfortunately, the tactics used in this incident are familiar to police. It really is important that friends and relatives of elderly and vulnerable people make them aware of this type of crime. Our overriding message is: if you are not sure, don't answer the door."
Anyone with information should call 08458 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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