Police warning over “intimidating” man knocking on doors of elderly people in Ormskirk and offering to clean gutters

Dec 13 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

REPORTS of a man knocking on the doors of elderly people in Ormskirk and becoming intimidating when they refuse his offer to clean their gutters have sparked warnings from police.

There have been three reports from the Redgate area of Ormskirk in the past week of a man knocking on the doors of elderly residents offering to clean gutters.

On each occasion, the man, reported to be around 50 years old, has not had any ladders or cleaning equipment with him and has become quite intimidating and insistent when the occupants have refused his services.

Sergeant Craig Appleton, of Lancashire police, said: “We are concerned about this man’s behaviour and, as a result, want to issue a warning to residents in the local area to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to us.”

The man has been described as white, around 50 years of age and about five feet nine inches tall.

He has dark hair which is greying and thinning and has been seen wearing a black fleece-type top and grey trousers.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or alternatively, people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk. org