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Bogus gardeners charge OAP £3,120 an hour
A 90-YEAR-OLD Sheffield woman was talked into handing over £260 by bogus gardeners who spent FIVE minutes cutting her hedge.
Emily Newey was enjoying the sunshine in the garden of her Shiregreen home when two men appeared and offered to cut her privet.
She agreed, and the pair asked her for a cup of tea before making a half-hearted start on the job.
When she reappeared a few minutes later they asked for payment saying they had to go.
Mrs Newey's son Michael Cis, aged 55, said when she offered them 40 they said it wasn't enough and continued to wheedle money out of her until all her cash was gone - 260, the equivalent of a 3,120 hourly rate.
An eagle-eyed neighbour alerted the police when they saw Mrs Newey talking to two strange men but they disappeared before officers arrived.
Today a furious Michael today labelled the men "cowardly scum".
He added: "I'm disgusted they could pick on a defenceless old woman in this way. Maybe if she hadn't had much money they would have dragged her around the house looking for stuff, so perhaps in some ways she's been lucky.
"But I can't believe the depths some people would go to.
"Everyone needs to be vigilant. I'm going to thank the neighbours, I'm glad they were looking out for her. The police said someone else had been targeted in the same way in the area and I think the spring weather is bringing out conmen and cheats claiming to be gardeners.
"Mum's hedge was a bit overgrown after the winter and the criminals dropped on her at just the right moment. Now the weather is improving they'll be conning people right, left and centre."
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a great-grandmother was duped by a bogus water official who she believed was connected with contractors working outside her home.
Hannah Savage, aged 84, of Intake, allowed him in after he asked to look at the sink and taps in her bathroom.
But she grew suspicious and after he left she asked the road workers if he was with them.
When they said 'no' she went back indoors and found two handbags had been stolen containing 120.
One of the team rang the police and the men stayed with her until officers arrived.
Five days later the six-strong group working for M1 Gas Alliance paid her a surprise visit - and handed over 80 and a box of chocolates.
Hannah said she was touched by the gift - but still deeply shocked by the theft.
She added: "The workmen were brilliant when it happened, they said I'd done the right thing in telling them.
"It did upset me and it did frighten me but I'm getting over it, slowly but surely. I know I should have asked for credentials but I just didn't think. I just surmised he had some connection with the works outside.
"The police said there had been two similar incidents in the area by a man whose description tallied with the one I gave."
He was 5ft 2ins, aged 35, had dark hair and wore scruffy white trainers.
Terry Howell, M1 Gas Alliance team leader, said was proud of the lads:
"When they found out she'd been robbed they decided to have a whip round. It's a real shame what happened and I hope this helps."
Sheffield District Commander Chf Supt Paul Broadbent said police were launching an operation to tackle doorstep crime, distraction burglaries and bogus officials.
Burglaries in Sheffield were at their lowest for 25 years and police were committed to keeping levels down, he added.
As part of the operation police will stage high visibility patrols, hand out crime reduction advice, target known offenders and carry out vehicle stop and checks throughout the city.
Chf Supt Paul Broadbent said: "Sheffield is one of the safest cities in the country, and with recent reductions in burglary, this operation aims to maintain these reductions.
"Residents living within our communities have the right to feel safe in their homes and whilst not wanting to frighten residents unnecessarily, we feel it is important for the community to be aware of bogus officials operating and the tactics that have been employed by bogus callers in the past."
Anyone with information about doorstep conmen should contact South Yorkshire Police on 0114 2202020 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Dial 999 if you have been visited by a bogus caller.
HOW TO BEAT THE DOORSTEP CONMEN:
BOGUS officials commonly claim to be from the waterboard, local authority, other public agencies or utility companies to gain access to homes before distracting residents so they can steal items.
Other methods - which increase in spring and summer - are to cold-call and state that roof or other building repairs are urgently needed.
Rogue traders then charge over-inflated prices and can use the opportunity to gain access into the home.
In some cases incidents can take place in locations close to where genuine work is taking place, to try to make them look like genuine callers.
The police urging residents to be vigilant, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, and have issued these simple crime prevention guidelines:
Always keep the front and back doors locked, even when you're at home.
Think about whether you are expecting anyone and look through the window before answering the door.
If you do not know the caller don't open the door.
Always check ID carefully and contact the company to see if that person should be at your house. Some companies use a password system, which the caller should give when they arrive. If in doubt, do not let them into your house.
Don't keep large sums of money in your home.
Do not accept cold callers in relation to building repairs. If you are interested in what they have to offer get a contact number and call them back after you have checked details out with other reputable tradespeople.
Chf Supt Broadbent added: "The message is simple - keep your doors locked and don't let strangers into your home unless you have verified their identity. And if in doubt, don't let them in."
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
