Cleckheaton: Pensioner fleeced by roof repair fraudster

The 86-year-old was having roof repairs carried out when a man called at his home in The Villas, Howard Park, Cleckheaton, falsely claiming to be from the company he had commissioned to do the work.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “The victim let him in and, when the man advised that he needed to pay money up-front for the work, handed over cash.

“The pensioner later spoke to the company carrying out the work who advised that the man who called at his door was not one of their employees.”

An investigation has been launched into the incident, which happened on the morning of Monday, January 11.

The fraudster was Asian or mixed race, aged between 30 and 35 years-old, around 6ft tall, and slim, with dark hair and a beard.

He was wearing a light-coloured rain coat.

Anyone with information should contact the Batley and Spen Neighbourhood Policing Team via 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.