At 12.44pm on Thursday, September 4, a group of men claiming to be gardeners stole a quantity of cash from a woman in the Forest Hall area of Killingworth.

Neigbourhood sergeant John Smith said: "When dealing with workers, people should rely on recommendations from friends or relatives.

"It is best to choose a company which has been established a long time with a proper telephone number and not just a mobile phone.

"Our advice always is not to let anyone into your home unless they can prove they are legitimate callers. People who are genuine representatives of an organisation carry identification cards and will provide telephone numbers that householders can ring to confirm their identity.

"If in any doubt about a caller ring the police."

The men are believed to be using a white transit van with laddres on the roof. The rear doors of the van have windows with a picture of the garden on them.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Forest Hall CID on 03456 043 043 x63443 where there is an answerphone.

General advice:

• fit a door chain/restrictor and viewer


• supervise any visitor at all times


• check identity cards, which should include a photograph of the caller and details of the company, including telephone numbers


• keep a checklist by the front door including useful telephone numbers such as the local authority and police, and account numbers for electricity, gas and water. If the caller cannot quote the relevant numbers they should not be allowed into the house.