OAPs targetted by tricksters

THREE pensioners in Ipswich were targeted by bogus callers within an hour, police have revealed today.Another two incidents also took place outside the town.

THREE pensioners in Ipswich were targeted by bogus callers within an hour, police have revealed today.

Another two incidents also took place outside the town.

Officers are today warning people to be extra vigilant, after the men claimed to be checking for water leaks and damp problems yesterday.

At about 3.40pm, a resident in Reading Road was called on, by a man claiming he was doing a survey for damp at a neighbour's house. The man inspected the house and after he had left, the homeowner found his bedroom had been searched.

At 4.15pm in Chaucer Road, a man barged into the home of a woman, saying he was doing a damp survey for neighbours and he inspected the house but nothing was taken.

In both incidents the offender wore dark clothing and had an Irish accent.

A woman in Geneva Road was visited by a man at 3.50pm, claiming he was from the water board and she had a leak that needed to be repaired. She didn't allow him in, and described him as white, aged about 23. He was wearing a white top and had a speech impediment.

A 79-year-old woman from Heath View, Westleton was in her kitchen at 2.20pm, when a man entered the house and talked to her for about 15 minutes, claiming to be checking for damp.

Shortly afterwards, she discovered cash had been stolen.

He was white, aged 30-40, with scruffy mousy hair and a weathered complexion.

A man also went to a property in Bent Lane, Rushmere St Andrew at about 3pm and asked to read the gas meter.

The resident became suspicious and reported it to police. The man was aged 30-40 and was wearing a green jacket.

Anyone with information on these incidents should call police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.