Bogus callers campaign launched

Jimmy Liddle died days after bogus workmen stole £400 from his home

Police in Edinburgh have launched a campaign to crack down on bogus callers who prey on elderly people.

An 88-year-old man from Edinburgh died just days after two bogus water board workmen stole £400 from his home.

Jimmy Liddle's son, James, said he believed his father died because of the shock of having intruders.

Operation Alert will use undercover officers to capture bogus callers in the capital and highlight the threat they pose to vulnerable people.

Mr Liddle said his father would have been annoyed at the intruders.

It's not the amount of money that's taken, it's the effect the incident has on the individual Jim Robertson Lothian and Borders Police

He said: "While they didn't physically assault him, the shock, trauma and the stress of having two young men invade your space was quite traumatic for him."

Detective Inspector Jim Robertson, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "It's not the amount of money that's taken, it's the effect the incident has on the individual."

Joan Turner, of the Older People's Equality Forum, distributes advice to pensioners and other vulnerable people on the potential dangers of bogus callers.

Jewellery stolen

She said the majority of people felt more vulnerable as they grow older.

But she said it was important to strike a balance between being wary of strangers at the door and becoming unnecessarily frightened.

Meanwhile, an Edinburgh pensioner had jewellery worth £100 stolen from her by a bogus workman who called at her home.

Vulnerable people are being given advice on bogus callers

The incident happened in the Leith Links are of the city at about 1030 BST on Tuesday.

A man called at the door of the 82-year-old woman's home and said he was checking water pipes.

While he was in the kitchen, the pensioner noticed that another man was in the house. She challenged the men and they fled.

The woman then discovered some of her jewellery had been stolen.

Irish accent

The first man is described as white, 18 to 20 years old, 5ft 8ins tall and of medium build.

He had short cut fair hair, was clean shaven and spoke with an Irish accent.

The second man is white, 40 to 50 years old, 5ft 8ins tall, stocky build with a pot belly, fair hair and clean shaven.

He also had an Irish accent and was wearing a blue chequered shirt and jeans.

A police spokesman said: "We would appeal to anyone who may have seen these two men around the Leith Links area yesterday to contact police."

Anyone with information can contact Lothian and Police on 0131 343 3171.