Callous con artists rob pensioner

A vulnerable 83-year-old woman has been robbed of cash for the second time by two women falsely claiming to be her carers.

One sat with the victim at her home on Strawberry Hall Lane, Newark, while the other left the room and stole £1,000.

The woman fell victim to the same trick in September 2010, again losing £1,000.

Her daughter-in-law, Ruth Jackson, said: “This is a despicable crime.

“The people who have done this must be really hard-faced to come into an old person’s home and steal their money.”

Detective Sergeant Louise Clark, from Newark CID, said the victim used carers and was expecting a visit.

Because the two women, who called before 2pm on Friday, pretended to be carers DS Clark said it was likely they either had good local knowledge or were the same two who committed the 2010 offence.

DS Clark said: “Targeting vulnerable people in their own homes is possibly the most unattractive crime there can be.

“You have to wonder how the offender would feel if it was their grandparent who was targeted in such a callous fashion.

“It is more unusual for this sort of crime to be committed by women, but by no means unheard of.”

DS Clark said carers would make appointments and no-one should be allowed into a home without being able to confirm an appointment or provide identification.

If there was any doubt, entry should be refused.

DS Clark said doors should be kept closed and locked and windows closed if a room was unoccupied.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Strawberry Hall Lane area should contact Newark CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are investigating another, unconnected, distraction burglary in Newark on Saturday.