Cruel hoaxer who targeted woman, 83

AN 83-year-old woman in Warrington was targeted three times by bogus callers – and police have issued CCTV images of a man they believe may be responsible.
The pensioner, who lives near Chiltern Road, Orford was visited by cruel con men three times between May and July and lost a substantial amount of money.
PC Andy Gill said: “We need the community to work with us and reduce the likelihood of someone else becoming a victim by looking out for elderly relatives, friends and neighbours.”
In the first incident, on May 22, a man called at the woman’s home holding a tile which he said had come off her roof. He offered to fix it for her.
More men came to the house and the woman was told work had been done in the attic.
The following day the woman went to a bank at Leigh and withdrew cash. CCTV footage showed a man walk her to the door of the bank and wait for her to make a withdrawal.
Later the victim was seen getting out of a white Transit van outside her home.
A week later a man called at her home saying he had cut her lawn. But alert neighbours intervened and no money was handed over.
On Friday, July 13 a woman claiming to be from the Council Tax office called and was given a cheque.
PC Gill said: “No work was ever carried out at the address and the victim has clearly been preyed on due to her vulnerability. The offenders have taken her to the bank to withdraw a substantial sum and had also taken some small Wade ornaments from the hallway of her house.
“We have carried out extensive enquiries since the initial crime to try and locate the offenders. We are keen to speak to the man in the CCTV and would appeal to anyone who recognises the man to contact police so that we can progress our enquiries.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of people not letting anyone into their home who calls unexpectedly. If you have a chain, always use it. Make sure you ask for identification and if they provide it, close the door and check the number, but most importantly, if you have any doubts about them being genuine, don’t let them in and ask them to come back later when you are not alone.
“Any suspicious activity should be reported to police.”
Anyone with information regarding the incidents or the CCTV images should contact PC Gill on 101.
Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Pictured: Two CCTV images of the man police are hunting