A BOGUS caller wearing a Santa hat received a less than festive welcome from a plucky 85-year-old woman who shut the door in his face.

Police have urged vigilance after the man struck in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire.

At around 5.40pm on Monday, December 8, the suspect called at the woman’s house and tried to convince her he had come to fix her television.

The woman refused to let him in and spoke to him while using a door chain. He attempted to put his foot in the door but she refused to engage with him and closed the door in his face.

Detectives are appealing to anyone else who has been targeted in this way to contact them and have issued further advice to residents, particularly older people, not to open their door to anyone they don’t know or are not expecting.

Detective Sergeant Dean Robinson of Harrogate Priority Crime Team, said: “This was a frightening experience for the victim who was very shaken up by the experience. She did exactly the right thing by using the door chain and closing the door on the suspect.

“We advise anyone who is cold called by someone they are not expecting, not the answer the door, or at least make them wait outside while you check their credentials. A genuine caller will be prepared to wait and will not get impatient or aggressive if you refuse to open the door or make them wait.

“Bogus callers deliberately target older people and their crimes can have a lasting effect on their victims, Leaving them very distressed and feeling unsafe in their own homes. I urge everyone to look out for their elderly neighbours, friends and relatives and make sure they know not to answer the door if anyone unexpected calls.”

Anyone who has any information that could help the police investigation is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Harrogate CID, or email quita.passmore@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference 12140212113 when passing information.

Please also report any suspicious activity or vehicles in your neighbourhood to the police by calling the non-emergency number 101. Please don’t think you are wasting time, every piece of information can help the police to build up a picture of suspects.

If you feel threatened by a caller, always call the police on 999.