Bogus callers tried not one, not even two, but three scams to try to con their way into a woman's home
The pair turned up at their intended victim's door in Greenstead Road, Colchester, and claimed they were there to check a water leak.
But the householder sensibly followed the Evening Gazette's If In Doubt...Keep Them Out advice and turned the suspicious visitors away.
Not ready to give up yet, the callers tried again, saying they were there to check the windows and again she would not let them in.
Their third ploy was to say they wanted to do some concreting work and - third time unlucky - they were turned away again and finally gave up.
Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester CID, praised the woman for standing up to the strangers despite their persistence.
He said: "She did exactly the right thing. It's not uncommon that if one ruse doesn't work bogus callers think another one might."
The first man was described as white, in his mid 20s with a stocky build, fair hair and stubble. He was wearing a shirt and light-coloured trousers.
The second man was white, also in his mid 20s, about 5ft 10ins tall and was tanned and wearing a navy blue baseball cap.
He was wearing dark trousers and a cream top.
The pair struck at lunchtime on Friday.
Anyone with information should call Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111
Published Monday, April 28, 2003
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