Public urged to be vigilant after attempted theft

Police are urging the public to be vigilant after an incident involving three men believed to be cold calling elderly and vulnerable residents and telling them that repairs were needed on their roofs.

The incident happened on Wednesday 13 April 2016 on Parkfield Road, Torquay.

One resident was in the process of handing over a large amount of cash when the police arrived and arrested a man at the scene.

Devon and Cornwall Police have today [Friday 15 April] utilised the drone team to take aerial photographs of damage to a roof believed to have been caused during this incident.

Detective Constable Thomas Blanchard from Torquay CID said: “We would like to take this opportunity to remind residents of Torbay to be vigilant to this kind of activity, if employing a tradesperson to carry out work or repairs we would recommend only using those registered in that particular trade.

“Those carrying out work should be in possession of identification and this should be checked before allowing them into your homes. Tradespersons looking for work by making cold calls should not be employed and money should not be passed before completion of the work.”

Legitimate callers will not mind if you shut and lock the door while you verify that they are genuine. Rogue traders often offer gardening work or maintenance services at attractive rates but the quality of work is substandard, unnecessary or overpriced. They often use persuasive sales techniques to encourage people into making hasty decisions.

For further information on how to protect yourself and others against doorstep crime please visit; www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/prevention-and-advice/your-home/doorstep-crime

A 41-year-old man from Liverpool has been arrested and released on police bail until June 15 2016 pending further enquires.

If anybody has witnessed this or similar incidents in and around Torbay please contact Devon and Cornwall Police on 101, or email 101@dc.police.ukquoting crime reference: CR/23750/16.

Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers via 0800 555111 or the charity’s website at www.crimestoppers-org.uk