Police warn to stay alert to tricksters

Published on 09/09/2012 16:52

Police are warning people to be on their guard against thieves and con-artists in Luton and Dunstable who may target them in their homes and in the street.

Following the Herald & Post’s article about the 74-year-old man (pictured) who was robbed in broad daylight by three woman, and a trickster who conned £160 out of a couple at home by pretending to be a neighbour in need, more people have come forward with similar experiences.

Jacqueline Blackett from Luton said a man in his 20s with an Eastern European accent knocked at her door claiming he was a neighbour locked out of his car and his house.

He kept her husband talking for ten minutes but when the woman asked where exactly he lived he panicked and left.

Mrs Blackett said: “People must be careful and look out for one another. Lately there seem to be some devious con artists prowling around our communities.”

Matt Unsworth said a similar thing happened to his grandmother, with someone knocking on the door pretending to be a neighbour and asking for money. Fortunately he was there to stop it.

A Bedfordshire Police spokesperson said: “Anybody who is approached in the street should be very wary. Keep all your belongings out of sight, especially chains, wallets etc, and if you are at all concerned about any persons contact the police. At home, do not answer your door to anybody who you do not recognise. Consider signing up to a nominated neighbour scheme run by Bedfordshire Police, where you can phone a particular neighbour if you have anyone approaching you that you don’t know. If someone says they are from a company, ask to see ID and never hand over cash to an individual.”

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Police warn to stay alert to tricksters

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