CON ARTISTS have been preying upon vulnerable people in Tywardreath and St Austell.
Police asked residents to be aware of people knocking at their door asking for money to carry out garden and fencing work.
A 76-year-old woman in South Park Road, Tywardreath, was one of those targeted earlier this month. Police said two people knocked her door and said they noticed the hedge in her rear garden needed trimming and she handed over £120.
Two days later they returned and said her fence panels needed replacing. They said this would cost £600 but that her neighbour had already offered to pay £400 towards this and they only needed another £200.
"We would urge residents to be wary of cold callers," said inspector Stuart Gibbons. "There have been reports in Par and St Austell recently and in both incidents money was handed over.
"Remember, however convincing the story is, do not hand over money and do not let strangers into your home."
The con artists have been described as a man in his 40s, of a stocky build, about 6ft 1in, with very dark short hair, driving a white van, and a woman in her 30s, about 5ft 4in tall with shoulder-length dark brown hair.
Call police on 101, quoting GW/13/422, with information.
