A man stole money from an elderly Ludlow resident after he talked his way into the victim’s home, police said today.

Police are now warning the public, in particular elderly or otherwise vulnerable people, never to let a stranger into their home, no matter what they might claim.

The warnings come after the offender, who had carried out some agreed work for the victim before Christmas for which he had been paid, knocked again at the home in Stanton Road between about 11.15am and 11.45am on Wednesday. 

For the full story see today’s Shropshire Star

A man stole money from an elderly Ludlow resident after he talked his way into the victim’s home, police said today.

Police are now warning the public, in particular elderly or otherwise vulnerable people, never to let a stranger into their home, no matter what they might claim.

The warnings come after the offender, who had carried out some agreed work for the victim before Christmas for which he had been paid, knocked again at the home in Stanton Road between about 11.15am and 11.45am on Wednesday. 

He claimed the householder owed him money for further work he had done and, after a verbal altercation on the doorstep, convinced the man to let him in.

While the victim wrote out a cheque, the offender stole cash from his wallet and from elsewhere in the house, before leaving. 

The victim realised the money was gone a short time later.

Constable John Kelly appealed for anyone who might have seen the offender in the area or been approached by him over the past few weeks to contact police on 0300 333 3000.

He is thought to be driving a dark blue van, similar to a Ford Transit, and is white, in his mid to late 30s, about 5ft 8in tall with fair hair.