BY MARK MCKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
Two vigilant Omagh septugarian's escaped potential robbery and possible injury after three bogus callers claiming to be from Omagh District Council tried to gain access to their homes.
On the afternoon of Friday June 29 three men called at houses at Johnston Park and the Tullyrush Road claiming to be from the council stating they were there to measure the back yards. However, none had any measuring equipment.
In both cases they were denied access to the houses, despite their persistence. Both potential victims were in their seventies and alone at the time of the call.
The elderly residents of the houses approached quite correctly refused to allow the men admission and also demanded identification documents.
Described the assailants a police spokesperson said, "Two of the bogus callers had English-sounding accents. One was in his early 30s and the other was in his late teens or early 20s and was well-dressed in a navy blazer or jacket. He had fair or ginger hair and was of a thin build and was carrying a notepad and pen.
"The third was in his late teens and was dressed in light coloured clothes."
A spokesperson for Omagh Council said, "We would like to reassure householders, especially elderly people that, where possible, prior appointments are made before council officials call to a house.
"All council officials always carry photographic identification and present it to a householder on demand and are happy to have this confirmed by a telephone call to the council offices. The council would encourage people to request to see identification before allowing access to their home."
Nearby resident to Johnston Park, Cllr Ross Hussey revealed that similar occurrences have happened in the past in Johnston Park stating it was a "sad reality" when people are wary to open their front doors and not feeling safe in their own homes.
"They have targeted the elderly and the vulnerable, which cowards always do," said the Ulster Unionist Cllr. "All credit to the residents that were on their guard and didn't let them in.
"If people are calling at houses claiming to be from any organisation they should have identity cards. I would urge everyone to be vigilant and ask to see that identification and if you are still uncertain ring the organisation they claim to represent. It is better to take those few minutes to be doubly sure."
Anyone who saw the men at the locations, or elsewhere in the area, is asked to contact police in Omagh.
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