Woman, 95, fights off conman

A 95-year-old woman has been praised by police for bravely fighting off a conman who tried to force his way into her house.

The woman grabbed the man, who claimed to be from the "waterboard", and pushed him out of the porch of her home in the Tilehurst area of Reading, Berkshire.

Pc Chris Bergmann said: "This woman is very brave. She was suspicious and knew she should not let anyone who she was not sure of enter her home."

The incident happened at about 1630 GMT on Friday, following two other similar incidents in the town the day before.

In both incidents on Thursday, an elderly person was told by a doorstep caller that he needed to enterv the house because the water supply had become contaminated.

Fortunately nothing was taken in any of the incidents.

Police are now keen to emphasise to elderly people that there is no such thing as the "waterboard".

Detective constable John Graham-Cummings, of Reading CID, said: "I want to make it clear that there is no "waterboard". There are many water companies.

"However if you are suspicious of a caller, take their identification and ask them to wait outside.