Detectives hunt bogus water board workers

The incident happened on March 1 at around 3.20pm at a residential complex for elderly people in Scott Close, Heckmondwike.

One suspect approached the house of a female pensioner saying he was from the water board and needed to check the water supply due to an explosion around the corner.

The homeowner asked to check his ID but he made no attempt to produce anything. One of the suspects entered the property and went into the kitchen with the victim and asked her to run a tap. Whilst the pensioner was distracted, two other suspects searched the property and then all three of them left the property. No items were stolen.

One of the suspects is described as a white male, tall, slim build, in his 30s, with a thin face and dark brown stubble. He was wearing a grey woolly hat, dark thick donkey style jacket and gardeners gloves with green palms and yellow backs. He also spoke with a local accent.

DC Tony Marshall, of Kirklees CID, said: “I would like to speak to members of the public who may have seen any of these suspects in the area or have been approached by them to contact us.

“I would also remind householders that you are under no obligation to let cold callers into your homes. Genuine callers from utilities companies will carry ID and have a business number you can ring to confirm their identity.”

Anyone with any information or anyone who saw these suspects in the area is asked to contact DC Tony Marshall via 101 quoting reference 13160092007.