Bogus Fire Official robs elderly couple

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding Staffordshire residents that any Fire Service personnel visiting their home will be wearing fire service uniform and have photographic identification which displays their full name and brigade number.

Residents are reminded not to let anyone into their home unless they are confident they are who they say they are.

The reminder comes following a bogus caller who struck in Newcastle and conned money out of an elderly couple, who were expecting a visit from the Fire Service.

Head of Risk Reduction at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Glynn Luznyj said:

“We are aware that a bogus called struck in Newcastle recently and as the couple in the house were expecting a visit from us, they let him in.

“He managed to get away with a considerable sum of money whilst he pretended to fit alarms for them. All our staff can be identified visibly by the fire service uniform which has fire service branding on it.

“All personnel also carry photographic ID which will either be on display or shown before attempting to enter a property. If anyone is ever unsure they should not feel embarrassed to ask the caller to wait outside and they can ring our switchboard to check they are who they say they are.

“No member of our staff would be offended if anyone did this, we are more than happy to wait until the occupier is comfortable to let us in.”

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service are partners in the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Adult Safeguarding Partnership, which supports the message to warn residents, particularly the elderly, as they are more likely to be targeted for this sort of crime to be on their guard against bogus and cold callers.

Key advice from the partnership is if in doubt, keep them out – never feel obliged to let anyone into your home if you don’t feel comfortable.

If you feel threatened by someone calling at your door, or suspect a bogus caller then dial 999 and report the incident to the Police.

Anyone with any information about the incident in Newcastle can contact Staffordshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on0800 555 111.