Bogus 'water board' men con victim

Police are now urging elderly and vulnerable residents to be on their guard and not to let strangers into their homes.

The incident happened on Alnwick Road, Intake, when the elderly woman answered her door to two men who asked to check her taps.

She led them upstairs where they pretended to check the taps before fleeing suddenly in a transit van.

After they left she realised cash was missing.

One suspect was white, aged 40, 5ft 6ins tall and of medium build with short dark hair.

He wore blue jeans and spoke with a local accent.

The second man was white, 5ft 6ins tall, of medium build, with short dark hair and in his early to mid 40s.

Both men wore workmen’s clothing.

A police spokeswoman said: “If in doubt, do not let the person into your house.”

Anyone with any information about the incident at 10.30am on Wednesday, September 12, should contact PC Todd Woods at Moss Way Burglary Unit on 0114 296 3525.