Bogus caller preys on elderly residents

Elderly residents in Kirkholt have been targeted by a man posing as a bogus official.

At about 8pm on Thursday (7 January), a 77-year-old man answered the door to a caller at his home on Perth Road, Kirkholt.

The man said he was from the water board and that he needed to check the water following a leak in the area. He then tried to push past the victim.

The victim pushed the man back and he walked off in the direction of Melbourne Road.

An 88-year-old woman who lives in the same road was also targeted.

The man told her that there had been a problem with the mains and that he needed to take water samples.

She escorted him to the kitchen and tried not to leave him unattended while he checked her taps, however the offender did steal money from the woman’s house.

The offender has been described as a white man, aged 20 to 25, about 5ft 10in tall and had a round face. He was wearing a black bobble hat, black jumper and black trousers.

Detective Constable Michael Berger, from Rochdale CID, said: "It never fails to disgust me that criminals will target people because they think they are vulnerable.

"Both victims were cautious of him and, fortunately, he stole nothing from the man because the victim was not prepared to let him through the door.

"We are doing all we can to trace this man but there are some steps residents can take to combat bogus callers - always prearrange visits with any firm, ask for identification from anybody calling at your home and check they are who they say they are with a call to their employer.

"If in doubt don't allow them in and ask them to return at another time - a genuine caller will never be offended by these requests."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4557 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.