A BOGUS roofer or roofers are targeting elderly people in York.

North Yorkshire Police said there had been at least three incidents so far this month of a man calling at the homes of people in the city and on occasion taking money from residents.

The first incident happened on Tuesday, when a man called at the home of woman in her 80s in Lowfields Drive in Acomb. He said his name was Paul and that he had completed £420 worth of roof repairs and needed paying.

The victim handed him £20, and the man, described as in his thirties and about six feet tall, said he would be back for the rest of the money, before leaving in a grey car with another passenger.

Offenders have struck in Lowfields Drive, Chaloners Road and Broadway

In the second incident, at about 11am today [Wednesday], in Chaloners Road, a man called at the home of an 86-year-old woman and told her she needed £250 worth of roof repairs and that she could claim the money back from her landlord. The man pushed his way into the property and told her he needed the money.

The woman did not hand over any money and the man, described as Irish, white, aged in his 40s, of stocky build and around 5’6" in height, said he would return, then left in a light blue car with another man inside.

The third incident happened at about 12.15pm on Wednesday, at the home of a couple in their 80s in Broadway and offered to fix roof tiles for £300. The man, who was white, in his thirties, stocky and about five feet six inches tall with dark hair and an English accent, entered the house without permission and continued with a pushy sales pitch. He asked for the money and followed the woman householder to her bedroom where he was given £300. He left in a car, believed to be a light grey Audi A6.

A police spokeswoman said residents should not answer their door to anyone they are not expecting, and urged them to say no to repairs they do not require.

Anyone targeted by the men, or with information that could assist officers, should call 101, or if they feel threatened, call 999 immediately.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.