BURGLARS are scamming their way into homes by posing as builders, with areas affected by building work being particularly vulnerable, warns a local councillor.
Phil Kelly, Labour councillor for Finsbury Park, advised residents to beware on Saturday via Twitter, after an elderly couple became the latest victims of a hoax.
The couple, both in their mid eighties and from Haden Court estate, which is currently undergoing renovations, let three male intruders into their property on Thursday night.
But the couple realised that the “builders” were in fact burglars when the men began to rummage through their belongings.
The thieves recognised that they had been rumbled and fortunately left without any trouble, although some of the couple’s possessions were taken.
Kelly told Islington Now: “The victims were both very distressed, as would be expected.
“These criminals were clearly opportunists and real builders now know that such fraud occurs, potentially making it easier for such people to be caught.”
While Kelly does not know how widespread the crime is locally, he believes it very unlikely that this is an isolated case and recommends that people remain on guard.
Kelly advises residents to demand identification from all builders before they let them in and, if they have concerns, to ring the council for immediate confirmation.
Police have launched Operation Bumblebee and are warning residents to be wary of bogus callers.
