Avon and Somerset Police are advising local people, particularly the elderly, to be on the alert after an attempted distraction burglary involving a 92-year-old man and a bogus electrician in the Bathwick area of Bath.
It happened on Wednesday 6th January, at around 2pm, when the man was waiting for an electrician he’d booked to arrive at his home.
A man claiming to be that electrician did knock on the door and was allowed in, where he quoted the householder a price of around £800 for the work – far higher than expected.
The bogus electrician left the house and sat in his grey-coloured van, with another man inside, parked nearby while the elderly man was making a decision.
It was then that the real electrician arrived, and the grey van drove off.
Police were called and made a search of the area and carried out house to house enquiries.
Nothing was stolen from the man’s home.
Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the van in the area, or who has been approached by uninvited callers at home.
They should call 101 quoting reference number 5216003857.
Avon and Somerset Police are taking the opporunity to issue the following advice regarding cold-calling:
- If you’re not sure, don’t open the door.
- Be on your guard if you have an unexpected caller.
- Use your door chain.
- Genuine council or utility staff will offer identification and will be happy for you to check it before you let them in.
- If you’re in any doubt about a visitor, ring the police straight away on 101. If you feel threatened, call 999.
