York householders urged to be on the look-out for bogus gas engineers
The advice comes following a report of a distraction burglary in the area where engineers from United Utilities and Morgan Sindall, working on behalf of Northern Gas Networks, are currently carrying out a gas mains replacement project.
Engineers are three weeks into a 12-week scheme to replace ageing metal gas mains with modern plastic pipeline which are safer and more reliable. They were alerted by local police about the problem this morning (Monday October 4th).
Network Operations Director Chris Gorman said: “We understand a man posed as one of our gas engineers and claimed he needed to check the gas meter. Once inside the house he stole some money.
“All our engineers carry photo identification cards and it is really important that customers ask to see them before letting anyone into their home. The work we are doing in the Brunswick Street area does mean that we will need to have access to some customers’ premises in order to ensure their gas supply is working safely.
“Our engineers, whether they are from United Utilities or Morgan Sindall, will always show their ID cards and I would urge customers not to be embarrassed to ask to check it. If in doubt, keep them out, no matter how convincing they are.”
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police added: "This is a despicable offence which often preys on the most vulnerable members of society.
"We are always happy to work with organisations such as Northern Gas Networks, who work to ensure that their customers do not become victims of this type of crime."
Northern Gas Networks pipes gas to over 2.5 million homes and businesses and has around 37,000 km of gas pipe to maintain in its area which stretches from the River Humber to the Scottish Borders and across to Cumbria.
 |
 |
 |