By Emma Hamilton
BOGUS callers have targeted a number of pensioners, making of with thousands of pound of cash
The thieves took five victims over just two days.
Three attempts in particular were made by men claiming to be carrying out roofing work.
The first took place on Monday morning at a property in Pilrig Street.
An 89-year-old man was at home when a man called at his door claiming he was due to carry out work on the roof of the property and required cash for materials.
The elderly occupant was then taken to a bank on Leith Walk where he withdrew a four-figure sum of money, which he then passed to the man, who dropped him off at home and drove off.
The suspect is described as white, 50-60-years-old, around 5ft 7ins tall with a medium build and a clean-shaven face. He was smartly dressed and drove a large light-coloured car.
A second incident occurred at 12pm that day and then again at 11.30am on Tuesday.
Two separate attempts were made to gain access to the home of a 73-year-old woman in Greenbank Drive by men claiming to be carrying out roofing work.
On both occasions the woman refused the men entry and reported the matter to police.
The first caller was described as white, early twenties, with a thin build and short brown hair. He wore a light-blue top and jeans and spoke with a local accent.
The second man is described as white, 30-39-years-old with a stocky build and short dark hair. He was wearing a long black woollen coat with a belt and was smartly dressed.
The third happened at 3.30pm on Monday, when three men called at an address in Currievale Park and told the 74-year-old occupant they needed money from her for roofing work, which had been carried out.
The woman went with the men to a nearby bank and took out a four-figure sum of cash, which she handed to the men.
After dropping the victim off near her home, the men then made off in a car, believed to be a Vauxhall Astra Estate.
All three men were described as white with average to medium builds.
One of the men was in his 30s and had long fair hair; another was in his late twenties, around 5ft 10ins tall with short red hair and the final man was around 40-years-old, 5ft 7ins with short fair hair.
Two other related incidents occured on Tuesday,31,January.
Around 12.30pm a 65-year-old woman was robbed of some personal possessions and a sum of cash after allowing a man claiming to be checking the water supply access to her property in Captains Drive.
Two men then visited a 68-year-old woman in Magdalene Drive and asked to check her roof interior for water damage. The woman became suspcious of this and asked to see their ID, at which time they left on foot towards Duddingston Park South.
The first suspect man is described as white, 40-50-years-old, 6ft tall with a medium build and a black moustache. He was wearing a black baseball cap with light dots, tartan jacket and spoke with an English accent.
The second suspect is described as white, 6ft tall with a medium build and ginger hair. He was also wearing a tartan jacket.
Police are now appealing for witnesses. A police spokesman said: “These incidents have taken place in different areas of the city, but in each instance, elderly members of our community were targeted.
“Anyone who can assist with our enquiries into any of these crimes is asked to contact police immediately.
“The public is urged never to allow anyone access to their homes or hand over money or personal details without being entirely sure of the caller’s identity.
“Similarly, neighbours are asked to be vigilant for any suspicious activity in and around the homes of vulnerable members of our communities and report any concerns to police.”
