Police issue alert after cold-caller ‘pestered lady for money’ and made repeated visits to her home

Police have issued a warning following an incident of persistent cold-calling in Hemingford Grey.

Officers received reports of an elderly resident, female and living alone, who was repeatedly pestered for money by a man stating that he represented the Sue Ryder national charity.

The incident took place on Friday.

A spokesman for the force said: “When checks were made, the charity said that they did not have any collectors in the area on that day.

“The man approached the lady in the street and later called twice at her home, asking her to either sign-up for a regular monthly payment, or to make an on-the-spot donation there and then.

“The lady repeatedly told the man she was not interested, but he continued to bother her, only leaving when he realised that she had a visitor with her in the house.”

Police said the man was described as being in his late 20s, about 5ft 9, slim, with brown hair and a moustache, dressed in smart casual clothing.

The spokesman added: “Police have been told that a man who said he represented the Sue Ryder charity pestered another Hemingford Grey resident, also an elderly single lady, a few days previously. This may or may not have been the same man.”

Anyone with information is advised to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.