Conman preying on elderly of Troon and Prestwick

Nov 13 2009 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

ELDERLY people are being targeted by a vile con man.

There have been a spate of sickening incidents in the Troon and Prestwick area.

Police are appealing for any information and are urging elderly members of the community to be vigilant.

At 4.15pm on Monday, November 9, a man called at the home of an 81-year-old female in Prestwick looking for payment for window cleaning.

However, the genuine window cleaner had been paid earlier that day.

The man managed to gain access to the woman’s home and stole her purse before making his excuses and leaving.

At 5pm the same day, a male purporting to be a window cleaner looking for new business called at the home of a 94-year-old lady in Prestwick, near to the first lady.

The male eventually gained access to the house but did not manage to steal any property.

Then between 6pm and 6.30pm, the same man called at three houses in Troon, where he spoke with three elderly residents aged 80, 83 and 88. The man was either seeking business for cleaning windows or looking for payment for windows that had allegedly been cleaned.

The 88-year-old woman allowed the man into her home as he used the excuse of needing the toilet. It appears that nothing was stolen.

This man has previously visited Troon on Tuesday, September 29, when he gained access to the home of a 70-year-old female in Logan Drive pretending to be a window cleaner looking for payment.

He made an excuse to gain entry to her home, where he continued to involve the occupier in inspecting possible areas that needed repaired. After making his excuses he left, and the occupier noticed that her purse containing a three figure sum was missing.

The man is described as white, between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 10ins tall, aged approx 25 to 30 years old, of slim to medium build with short, dark brown, unkempt hair.

He appears that he is unshaven with several days growth and has a local accent.

He was wearing a high visibility jacket, possibly with a T-shirt underneath. He has always been polite and courteous when calling at the door.

Inspector Bob Smith, of Troon police office, said: “Bogus workmen routinely target the very vulnerable members of our communities, particularly the elderly, the infirm and those living alone.

“I would urge those who receive unannounced workmen at their door seeking payment for work allegedly done or looking for work, to refuse them access, no matter the excuses made, and call the police immediately.

“I am certain that someone in our community will know who this individual is, and I would urge anyone with information to contact the police.”

The public can contact the police at Troon on 01292 313100 or Prestwick on 01292 478587, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.