FRESH warnings were issued to elderly people in the Felixstowe area today after a bogus caller tried to get into a man's home.Police said the 72-year-old householder did exactly the right thing – by refusing to let the trickster past his front door.

By Richard Cornwell

FRESH warnings were issued to elderly people in the Felixstowe area today after a bogus caller tried to get into a man's home.

Police said the 72-year-old householder did exactly the right thing – by refusing to let the trickster past his front door.

The resort – like other parts of Suffolk – has suffered a spate of conmen crimes this year with smooth-talking fake officials talking their way into properties.

Thousands of pounds have been stolen altogether in the incidents, but in the latest one Walton, Felixstowe, the man got nothing.

Police said incident happened in King Street yesterday morning when a man wearing a navy blue sweatshirt with a British Gas logo and carrying a clipboard called at a house to say he had come to check the gas boiler.

The pensioner was suspicious as the man showed no formal identification and he had recently had his boiler checked. He refused the man entry and the caller left.

British Gas always makes appointments with its customers and their workers all carry ID.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident or who may also have received calls to contact them immediately.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the man in King Street or the surrounding roads or saw the vehicle he was using.

He is described as white, around 40 years old, 5ft 9in to 5ft 10ins tall, well built, with short straight, slightly-oiled and brushed back dark brown hair. He was clean shaven with a swarthy complexion.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dc Graeme Ewing at Felixstowe CID on 01473 383300.

Police are urging pensioners never to let strangers into their homes without checking their ID first.

Residents should initially close the door and make a phone call to the company concerned by using the number in the phone book. Genuine callers will be happy to wait.

If people suspect they have been targeted by a bogus caller, they should alert police using 999 if necessary.

Officers ask that victims try to get the registration number of any vehicle which may be used by the offenders.