Elderly manis robbed byin own home

They urgently want to trace a man who was handing out leaflets about a firm apparently specialising in work on garden trees.

It’s thought this man, or a colleague, has leafleted Kilsyth more than once.

Shortly after his visit an elderly householder in Manse Road found he had been robbed of £1,000

Police say the supposed tree surgeon managed to talk his way indoors.

It was only whenhe left that the householder realised he had been robbed.

Missing was around £1,000 in cash, which had been left in a place where the thief was able to seize it withoutv immediately being noticed.

Police fear the crook may have struck elsewhere in the area, and that some embarrassed victim or victims may not have come forward.

They’re also concerned he could strike again - choosing his victim carefully becore carrying out another opportunistic theft.

Trading standards officers repeatedly warn that doorstep traders - some of whom may be completely honest - can turn out to be common criminals looking to steal.

They impersonate a wide variety of offiicial agencies, ranging from Scottish Water to the council.

A police spokesman said: “We need to trace whoever delivered the tree surgeryc leaflet, and would ask anyone else who has received one to contact us.

“It is hard to believe only that one address received one.”

The man police want to questio is aged 20 to 30, slim with fair hair, and may have an Irish accent.

The green leaflet he left behind shows “before” and “after” pictures of a tree that has been worked on.

Anyone with information should contact PC Gregg McVicar on 01698 202405.