Detectives seek suspicious ‘overweight’ man cold calling on elderly residents in Gainsborough

At about 7.10pm on Wednesday, an elderly resident was visited at their home address in Woodland Avenue, Gainsborough, by a man claiming to be from the council, who invited himself inside.

The man is described as white, 20-30-years-old, overweight with short curly hair and with a local accent, wearing a black fleecy jacket and black trousers. Shortly after, when the man had left the house, the resident realised a purse was missing from the address.

The following night, at about the same time, the same man is believed to have visited another address on Woodland Avenue. The resident at the address did not allow him into their property.

DC Haddock from Gainsborough CID, said: “Individuals who prey on older members of our community are despicable. This offence, in my book, is one of the worst crimes. Someone knows who has committed this crime, give me a call and let me know who it is.”