VULNERABLE elderly people are being targeted by distraction burglars police have warned, after six incidents over two separate days.

All cases involved men trying to deceive victims about unnecessary repairs to their homes. Two frail pensioners were even driven to the bank to withdraw thousands of pounds.

Officers were called to three incidents last Monday afternoon (October 6) in Poole, Broadstone and Ferndown.

And on Friday September 26 there were three other reports in one day in East Dorset of offenders trying to get the victims to hand over large amounts of cash to repair to fake roof damage.

The first happened sometime between 10am and 12.30pm in Laburnum Close in Verwood when an 87-year-old woman was targeted by a man who offered to fix a loose roof tile for five pounds.

Another two men then climbed onto the roof and told the her chimney was falling down and she needed to pay them £3,000 to fix it. They then drove her to the bank in their white van to withdraw the money. Luckily they drove off while the victim was delayed by a long queue.

Two men were also said to have touted for roofing work in the St Leonards area at approximately 10.45am. The informant in this case was suspicious and reported the incident to the police, but a search of the area proved fruitless.

Then Between 1pm and 2.40pm on the same day three men went to the home of a pensioner on Dudsbury Avenue in Ferndown and climbed onto his roof uninvited. They told him he needed £7,000 of roof repairs and drove him to Bournemouth to withdraw it – telling the victim to inform the bank the cash was for a car and not for building work.

Thankfully, a member of staff became suspicious and did not allow the withdrawal to take place. Detective Constable Steph Ashworth, of Bournemouth CID, said: “All the offences involved at least three men driving a white van and I believe they are all connected.” One man is described as white, in his thirties, slim with dark short hair. He wore a dark pullover and dark trousers.

The second man is white, in his thirties and of medium build. He wore dark coloured clothes and mumbled when he spoke. The third man has only been described as ‘dark brown’.

There were three further reports on Monday October 6. At 1.34pm a man told an elderly woman that the leaking gutter at her home in Emerson Road needed fixing. He was tall, of large build, in his thirties, with a long nose and very dark hair. He wore a tank top and shorts and drove off in a red Nissan Micra.

Then at 4.13pm a pensioner on Whitby Avenue in Broadstone was told by two men that there was a problem with her chimney. The younger man inspected the chimney and he removed a brick. The victim was told repairs would cost £1,500 – and the offenders told her take out a loan when she said she couldn’t afford it.

The older man was believed to be in his fifties or sixties and wore a cap, the younger man was described as in his thirties and had medium brown hair. He wore jeans and a yellow T-shirt.

A similar incident at 6.37pm an older man and a younger man came to the property of an elderly woman in Ashurst Road in Ferndown – but nothing was taken and no offences were committed. Police Sergeant Adrian Thompson, of Poole police, said: “Thankfully nothing was taken and no money exchanged in these three incidents. It is unclear if they are linked at this stage.”

He appealed for information and said he wanted to hear from anyone who had experienced something similar in the Poole, Broadstone and Ferndown areas.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 09:225. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply

  • Police Sergeant Adrian Thompson, of Poole police, added: “I advise members of the community to be vigilant and encourage them to observe the following advice: Do not buy, sell or sign up to any work on the doorstep no matter how urgent the caller tells you the work is Keep the door chained when speaking with strangers If you think you may need repairs done to your property, get at least two written quotes.

“Poole Trading Standards also offer a trusted scheme called ‘Buy with Confidence’ which we would recommend residents use. This scheme lists traders who have been checked and approved by trading standards.

If you are suspicious of a caller’s intentions, tell them to go away and call a family member or neighbour and inform the police on 101. If they won’t leave, then call 999."