TWO men who claimed to be from a charity in order to burgle the homes of elderly people have been jailed for six years each.

Miles Connors, 46, of Reading, and Thomas Reynolds, 32, of Slough, pretended to be from ‘Age Concern’ during three offences in Kingswood and Fishponds on the afternoon of Thursday 14 July 2016.

A court heard how they called on the home of a 75-year-old woman in Fishponds, who let them in after they claimed to be from ‘Age Concern and the NHS’.

Thankfully, the woman became suspicious and the man left empty handed. 

A second incident later took place in Kingswood, in which a man walked into the home of a 92-year-old woman while claiming to be a charity worker.

However, he left without anything being taken as the woman was on the phone to her son at the time.

In the final incident, a man knocked on the door of an 80-year-old woman in Kingswood.

The lady attempted to turn him away, but opened the door after he said he was from the council. She heard a second man speak but did not see him.

After being let in to the property, the first man persuaded the woman and her husband to go upstairs, claiming to be checking their mobility to see if they needed a stair lift.

When the man left, the couple found that cash taken from a handbag.

In November 2016, following a lengthy investigation involving a number of other police forces, Thomas Reynolds was arrested in Wiltshire and Miles Connors was arrested in Berkshire.

At their sentencing on Friday, April 28, His Honour Judge Hart described the offences as "despicable, predatory, heartless and cowardly".

He also issued the pair with Criminal Behaviour Orders, which will come into effect on their release from prison. The 10-year orders include conditions which bar both men from visiting South Gloucestershire and 'cold calling' door-to-door.

Investigating officer Dai Nicholas said: “This was a long and complex investigation, involving colleagues from several other forces, into criminals who were clearly prepared to travel to commit their offences.

"I would like to reassure people that we take offences against vulnerable elderly people very seriously and will continue to share information with other police forces in order to bring these criminals to justice.”

Mr Nicholas added that this sort of offence, known as ‘doorstep crime’, doesn’t happen often and can be prevented.

The charities Age Concern and Help the Aged merged in 2009 and the new organisation was renamed Age UK in 2010.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK has since spoken out about the crime.

She said: "It is horrible to think that anybody could target vulnerable older people in this way. Posing as someone from a charity is particularly despicable.

"Criminals who target vulnerable older people are calculating thieves and can be very convincing.

"We would urge all older people not to open their door to someone unless they are absolutely sure of their identity. If you’re suspicious or the caller won’t leave, call 999 and ask for the police."

Avon and Somerset doorstep crime prevention tips:

  • remember, if you’re not sure, don’t open the door
  • if you are suspicious, or feel intimidated or alarmed by a caller ring 999 straight away
  • if you see someone calling door-to-door, but only on frail or elderly neighbours, call 999 straight away
  • keep your cash in the bank, not at home
  • keep windows and doors secured if you’re not in the room
  • join Neighbourhood Watch
  • set up a No Cold Calling Zone – contact your neighbourhood policing team or your local council to find out more

Remember, genuine callers from utility companies, the council, police or charities: 

  • will expect you to check their identification before opening the door
  • would never try to rush you by claiming there’s an emergency
  • will happily make an appointment to come back when you can have a relative or friend with you