...on behalf of Thames Valley Police have sent us the following message:
Thames Valley Police have received several reports of a man ringing doorbells and asking for money.
The latest incident occurred on Saturday (3/11) at around 11pm when a man rang the doorbell of a house in Perrin Street, Headington, Oxford.
The man said his name was “James Stevens” and that he was a neighbour who needed help because he had locked himself out of his house. The victim opened the door and the man explained that his mother had a spare key at her house therefore he needed to borrow some money to get there and pick up the key. He insisted on giving his mobile number and asked the victim to call him so he had her number. The victim gave the man £20 and said he would return the next day to pay the money back. He did not.
The man is described as a white man, about 40-years-old, approximately 5ft 8in tall of medium build with short, dark brown hair and a short brown beard. He was wearing dark clothing and carried a black bag.
If someone fitting the description does call at your house, do not open the door. Call the police on 999.
For fraud advice please visit our website – https://www.police.uk/crime-prevention-advice/