Police in West Fife are appealing for witnesses and urging residents to be vigilant following two reports of bogus workmen targeting residents in Rosyth over the last week.
Two incidents were reported to the police – one in Walter Hay Court around 1pm on Wednesday April 19 and one at around midday in Harley Street on Saturday April 22.
In the first incident, the bogus callers told the householders that they were council workers there to do work on the gutters.
In the second instance they told the resident that their roof needed work done.
On that occasion, a three-figure sum of cash was given to the men – while a four-figure sum was stolen from inside the home.
The men from the first incident are described as wearing light grey jogging trousers and dark hooded tops, while in the second incident they are described as being scruffy and wearing overalls.
Officers are now appealing for any witnesses to get in contact.
Community Inspector Ian Stephen, from Dalgety Bay police station, said: “Both incidents involved bogus workers attending at peoples’ homes with the sole intention of obtaining or stealing money.
“I would urge people to be very cautious when cold callers turn up at their home, claiming that maintenance work needs to be done.
“Please always ask for identification, both for the individual and the company they say they represent. Genuine callers will have no objection to providing this.
“Don’t let anyone into your home unless you are 100% comfortable in doing so. If you have any concerns at all, contact the police or ask someone you know and trust to come round. Please pass this message on to elderly friends and relatives and help look after our communities.”
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting incident numbers 1474 in relation to the April 19 incident and 1690 in relation to the April 22 one.
Further advice about protecting yourself from bogus workmen can be found on the Police Scotland website here.
