News

Police have issued a warning to elderly people, after tricksters struck twice in Folkestone.

On 30 May, between 1.00pm and 2.00pm a man knocked on an 80 year-old lady's front door in Radnor Park, Folkestone, and said that he was there to repair her garden fence.

The lady let him in and the man told her to go into the cellar as he needed to hook up his equipment. She refused to do this, and then he asked her for two £10 notes for change, and she went upstairs to get her purse.

The man followed her upstairs and asked her for more money, but she refused and told him to go downstairs and he left the house, saying he would return shortly, which he did not do. It is not believed any cash was stolen.

The man is described as white, aged 35-40, 6' tall, short hair and clean-shaven and he spoke with a southern accent. He was wearing a navy blue polo shirt with an insignia, dark tracksuit bottoms, grey baseball cap and had a dusty appearance.

And between 3.30pm and 4.00pm at Downs Way, Folkestone a man called at the home of an 88 year-old lady, saying that he wanted to do some work in her garden. The lady said she had no money, but the man insisted that she had to have cash on her.

He began to search through drawers and found her purse, stealing a quantity of cash from it before leaving

The offender is described as white, aged 50, 5'6" tall, slim build, short straight fair hair, clean shaven, and he spoke with a Manchester accent. He was wearing a fawn coloured jacket and trousers.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has information regarding these incidents. Contact South Kent police on 01303 289180. Alternatively call Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.