A 53-year-old man has been arrested and charged for fraudulent maintenance work in yesterday’s joint initiative between Operation Wolf and Operation Aristotle, which targets bogus workmen.
The man was arrested yesterday (May 29th) following extensive enquiries after a vulnerable person from Kilgraston Road was defrauded of £11,700 for maintenance work. He will appear in court at a later date.
A further male was also detained yesterday, following a report of bogus workmen defrauding a 79-year-old man of £1300, in the North Gyle area in April.
A 54-year-old man is appearing in court today and a 36-year-old man will appear in court at a later date.
Superintendent Matt Richards said: “By targeting bogus workmen as part of Operation Wolf, we are demonstrating that Police Scotland will not tolerate those who prey on vulnerable members of the community.
“Those who commit such crimes defraud the vulnerable and elderly of large sums of money, for work that is often unnecessary or incomplete.
“Operation Wolf activities are continuing today and we’ll be focussing on violence and anti-social behaviour in the city centre, with a focus on particular hot spots as well as offering reassurance to the public.”
Detective Inspector Stuart Harkness, who is leading Operation Aristotle, the bogus workman initiative, said: “Operation Aristotle officers will continue to work alongside Community officers to engage with those carrying out gardening and home maintenance work as part of their ongoing efforts to identify bogus callers operating in the Edinburgh area.
“These people target the elderly and vulnerable members of our community and we would appeal for people to be vigilant in relation to elderly or vulnerable neighbours.
“Anyone with concerns over the conduct of a cold caller or suspicions in relation to potential bogus workmen activity, should contact the police on 101, make their local officer aware or contact the registered charity Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
