Bogus officials strike in Middleton

Residents in Middleton are being urged not to fall foul of bogus officials operating in the area.

The warning comes after men claiming to be from the waterboard targeted vulnerable residents twice in the same day.

In the first incident, at about 11.20am on Thursday 27 May 2010, a 75-year-old disabled man answered the front door of his house on Norman Street to two men.

They told him they were with the waterboard and needed to check the water pressure in the house. The man became suspicious and turned them away.

Around 25 minutes later a 71-year-old woman living on Yates Street answered her door to a man who told her the waterboard were carrying out work in the area and he needed to check the house's water pressure.

She also became suspicious and asked him to leave.

In the first incident the offenders were described as white, aged between 20 and 30, smartly dressed, wearing a tie and leather jackets.

In the second the offender was also white, in his 20s, about 5ft 5in tall with a slim build, dark hair, stubble and wearing black trousers and a scruffy black jacket.

Detective Constable Heidi Edge, of Rochdale CID, said: "These opportunists preyed on vulnerable people because they thought they would be a soft touch.

"However, both victims had the wherewithal to realise these people were not who they claimed to be and did the right thing - got rid of them.

"I now want to hear from anyone else who has either been a victim of these bogus workmen or who recognises their descriptions."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4591 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.