News

Local police are warning elderly residents that bogus callers have been calling at homes in the Folkestone area posing as water board workers.

Three addresses in Folkestone were targeted in the last week. On Sunday morning (28 January), two men tricked their way into a 96-year-old lady’s home in Lynwood by saying they were from the water board and needed to check her taps. 

A 75-year-old woman in Connaught Road was not so lucky, the thieves entered her flat though an insecure door and took her purse.

These callers have also visited an address in Charles Crescent, Folkestone.

Meanwhile police are praising the actions of an elderly lady in St Mary’s Bay who averted a potential bogus caller.

A so called 'workman' called at her home in Taylor’s Lane, around 11.00 am on Wednesday (31 January) to ‘read her meter’.

The lady refused to let him in because he did not use the password that she had agreed with her utility company.

She reported the matter to police, and after enquiries were made it turned out that the caller was genuine, but the Utility Company had failed to provide him with the appropriate password.

This lady is to be applauded for her prompt actions in calling the Police and for not letting in the caller.

Please do make any elderly and vulnerable neighbours aware that they can get a pass word from the Utility provider. Can I also take this opportunity to remind you all of the Nominated Neighbour scheme.