HOUSEHOLDERS have been urged to keep an eye on their neighbours after bogus workmen stole £2,000 from a pensioner in broad daylight.

The incident, which took place in Knightswood on Friday, July 17, was the latest in a spate of similar cases across Glasgow North West.

Two conmen turned up at a property on Kirkton Avenue at around 3pm and told the 82-year-old woman they were from the council, adding that they were looking to fix fencing. One man joined her in the back garden to discuss the matter while the other went into the property and took the cash.

The same individuals are thought to be behind three similar incidents on June 22, all of which took place between 2pm and 3pm. A 69-year-old woman on Great Western Road, near Lincoln Avenue, had £100 stolen after she was taken to the garden to discuss hedge cutting while the other man went into the house.

The men have been targeting properties in and around Knightswood. They called at a property at Harefield Drive, and tried to talk to a man, 83, about fixing his guttering. He told them to leave and nothing was taken. The men then called at a house on Alderman Road at the home of an 89-year-old woman. Both claimed to be from the council and went into the house but she stayed with them at all times and they left with nothing.

In the earliest reported incident on June 9, an 89-year-old woman was targeted on Boreland Drive in similar circumstances. As one man took her to look in the garden, the other went into the house and made off with £520 in cash.

Community inspector Neil MacDougall, of Glasgow North West Police Office, said: “We are looking for anyone who may have information about the people who were operating in those areas at those times.

“These vile individuals are targeting the most vulnerable people in society. They believe they won’t make good witnesses, which is often not the case.

“They look for indications that elderly people may be living at a property, perhaps because it has handrails outside or intercom systems. It is all about distraction for them. We would encourage people to look out for their friends and neighbours as much as possible.” The suspects are described as two men, one aged between 30 and 40 and the other aged 25 to 30. Victims have described the older man as having a polite Glaswegian accent.

Anyone with information regarding the bogus workmen is urged to contact Drumchapel CID on 101.