Detectives are appealing for information after £800 was unlawfully taken from a woman for work carried out on her house in Portsmouth.
At 10.30am on Tuesday, November 18, an 80-year-old woman from Pitcroft Road received a knock at the door from two men offering to carry out work on her garden.
The woman stated she needed a tree chopped down, and a price of £200 was agreed for the work.
After the work had been finished the men came to collect the money but took £300 and when the woman asked for change they said there wasn’t any to be given.
The two men then came back at 9am on Wednesday, November 19, requesting a further £500. The woman went to the cash point and gave them the money.
The men then offered to come back again to carry out more work, work that the woman did not want done.
Detective Sergeant Tony Lewis said, “This is a spiteful crime where an elderly and vulnerable lady has been targeted, and her good nature taken advantage of. It is thought these men may have been distributing leaflets for their services in the area, so if anyone has been visited in similar circumstances please call police and report the incident as quickly as possible.
“I would advise older people not to let strangers into your home or agree to have them carry out any work for you unless it is by prior arrangement. You can get further advice or referrals for legitimate companies through Help the Aged charity or from Portsmouth Square Deal, a project run with Portsmouth City Council, which can be contacted at www.portsmouthsquaredeal.co.uk or on 023 9278 8955.”
Can you help?
Anyone with information is asked to contact DS Tony Lewis or DC Andy Larder at Fratton police station on 0845 045 45 45 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000.
A 41-year-old man and a 46-year-old man, both from Southampton, have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft and released on police bail until January 16, 2009.
