Elderly woman burgled: can you help?

Police in Hackney are appealing for information after an elderly lady was a victim of a bogus caller at her home in Stoke Newington. The incident occurred at approximately 11:30am on Tuesday, 8th December in Durley Road, N16. The victim, a woman aged in her late 80s, answered the door to a man who claimed he was from a gas company and needed to check her boiler. The victim led the man into her kitchen where he looked at her boiler. He eventually left the property. The victim later found that £1,155 in cash had been stolen.
The suspect is described as a white man, aged approximately 30-years-old, around 6ft 2ins tall and wearing all black clothing. Twenty minutes before the incident the victim noticed a second man knocking on her neighbour’s door. He is described as a white man, approximately 40-years-old, around 6ft tall and also wearing all black clothing. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.
Anyone with information is asked to call Hackney CID on 101, quoting reference: 4631100/15. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111 or via: https://crimestoppers-uk.org
 

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Police advice on how to beward of bogus callers

•Think before you open the door. Use your chain and spy hole or look out of the window to see if you recognise the caller.
•Ask callers for proof of identity. Genuine traders should carry an identification card with their photograph on. Check this carefully. If you are unsure, telephone the company the caller claims to represent.
•Beware of callers who attempt to distract you by claiming that they have seen something untoward in your rear garden or somewhere which may encourage you to leave your house – they may have an accomplice awaiting this distraction.
•If you are not convinced of the identity of the caller, don’t let them in. Ask the caller to come back later and arrange for a friend, relative or neighbour to be present on their return or ask the caller to contact this person.
•Treat every stranger with caution. If you are worried, dial 999 immediately and ask for the police.

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