Press releases

Doorstep warning for elderly householders

Police have issued a warning to elderly householders to be on their guard on the doorstep.

It follows an incident on November 2 involving a 98-year-old woman who was approached by a man who claimed that she needed to turn off the water in her warden-controlled Shepton Mallet home because of a nearby water leak.

The man rang the door bell at the woman’s home at about 5pm. She opened a window and was told that she needed to turn off her water.

She said that she did not know how and the offender offered to do it for her. She then told the man that she would call the warden. As she was telephoning him the offender ran off.

He is described as a white man, aged about 20 with a round face, dark brown short hair, clean shaven with boyish looks. He was of slim build, softly spoken and wore a long-sleeved green sweatshirt with green and white stripes around the middle and arms with black edges and dark trousers.

Anyone with any information relating to the incident is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

DCI Martyn Triggol of Avon and Somerset police praised the woman for the action she took.

"We encourage people to follow the Doorstep Code when responding to unexpected callers. You should look through a window or door viewer to see who is at the door first. Then consider opening the door on a chain.

"Genuine callers will carry identification cards and will not mind waiting outside whilst a phone call is made to verify their credentials.

"You should only let people into your home if you are completely satisfied about their identity.

"We would also encourage friends and neighbours to keep an eye on elderly and vulnerable neighbours and ensure they get this message," said DCI Triggol.

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