At about 2pm on Thursday 17 November a man called at the 69-year old woman's house in Tollgate Gardens asking if she would like the gutters cleaned. The tradesman was very persistent and eventually she agreed. The tradesman was joined by a second tradesman who looked in the loft. They then quoted £80 for the work to be done, which she paid this in cash.
They went outside apparently to do the work, but were seen to drive off hastily in a white panel van. The woman was not convinced the work had been completed as she was unable to see any ladders and local workmen saw the two tradesmen picking up mud and throwing it along the ground directly beneath the guttering. She later found that a further £100 cash had disappeared from a bedroom in the house.
Both tradesmen are described as white. The first worker was between 18-22, slim build, 5' 8 to 5' 10", with short dark hair and was wearing a black jacket and dark colored jogging bottoms.
They went outside apparently to do the work, but were seen to drive off hastily in a white panel van. The woman was not convinced the work had been completed as she was unable to see any ladders and local workmen saw the two tradesmen picking up mud and throwing it along the ground directly beneath the guttering. She later found that a further £100 cash had disappeared from a bedroom in the house.
Both tradesmen are described as white. The first worker was between 18-22, slim build, 5' 8 to 5' 10", with short dark hair and was wearing a black jacket and dark colored jogging bottoms.
The second tradesman had a round shaped face, was in his late 20s to early 30s. and of medium build. He had short dark hair and was wearing a dark trench coat and blue jeans.
A third man who may be involved was seen nearby but no description is available.
The white panel van is possibly a Peugeot model and had pale blue writing on one of the side panels
Detective Constable Annie Nash said: "This was a disgusting crime committed against a woman in her own home by two heartless thieves. If you were in the Tollgate Gardens area on Thursday afternoon and saw these men, their van or you have any other information which may help, please contact us on 101 quoting serial 1056 of 18/11.
"Although this type of crime is infrequent, it serves as reminder to residents, especially the elderly, of the importance of keeping unannounced callers out of your property or parting with your money unless you are absolutely satisfied that they are who they say they are and that that they are there for a lawful purpose."
