A newspaper campaign has won police praise after an elderly woman stood up to a bogus caller and refused to let him in her home.
The Evening Gazette's The If In Doubt, Keep Them Out campaign was launched to try to help reduce the number of people targeted by bogus callers.
The number of criminals trying to con their way into people's homes is on the increase and the elderly are often a target.
But on Monday an elderly woman proved that people are becoming more cautious.
A man in his early 20s arrived at the woman's home in Harwich Road, Colchester, at about 2.45pm and claimed there had been an explosion further down the road and he needed to turn off the water supply.
The woman was suspicious of his claims and refused to let him in. A neighbour later saw him meet up with an accomplice.
Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester police, praised the Evening Gazette campaign for raising awareness.
"Any campaign which will increase the knowledge of this type of offence is vital for preventing vulnerable people being subjected to this burglary. Often it results in their life savings being taken.
"The Gazette campaign educates about this type of burglary and, I believe, helps to reduce the number of offences."
The man in this incident, who claimed to be from the water board, was white, 5ft 6ins, clean shaven with short, mousey brown hair.
He was wearing a three-quarter length dark jacket.
His accomplice was 5ft 7ins and was wearing a jacket and jeans.
The pair are believed to have been driving a gold Vauxhall Cavalier car
Published Wednesday, January 22, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article