POLICE are investigating reports of a bogus trader in Colchester who targeted an elderly woman on three occasions after claiming her boiler was broken.

They received reports from a concerned relative on Wednesday, February 27, after a man knocked at an address off Guildford Road and spoke to a woman aged in her 80s.

He told the woman her boiler needed looking at before demanding an unknown amount of cash.

This has happened on two other occasions within the same month.

He has been described as being white, around 5ft 7ins to 5ft 8ins and was aged in his 50s.

Investigating officer DC James Pamment, of Colchester CID, said: “The man claimed to be working for a gas company and convinced the woman to allow him to check her boiler.

“Shortly afterwards he demanded cash and refused to show any identification or provide a receipt or invoice for the work.

“His actions were callous and it appears he has manipulated an elderly woman within our community on a number of occasions over just a short period of time.

“We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen or been visited by a cold caller who matches our description.

“If you have any information, please call Colchester CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/31832/19 or Crimestsoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”