Con woman spreads net further

A bogus charity collector who tricked cash out of Hagley residents claiming it was for a sponsored run in memory of her father is now thought to be targeting Wordsley.

A string of Wordsley residents have reported handing over cash to a woman using the same con. Mary McGeehan, of High Street, Wordsley, said: "I lost my husband to cancer so I sympathised, but if she is not genuine then I do not think it is very funny." Mrs McGeehan said she handed over £5 to the woman before hearing about the con that had been used to trick residents in nearby Hagley.

Now she believes she and her neighbours, who also handed over cash, have become the latest victims.

She said: "It is the exact same story and she fits the description given by the police in Hagley."

West Mercia Police revealed earlier this week that a woman has been calling at shops and homes in Hagley and nearby Romsley.

She spins her unsuspecting victims the tale that her father died of cancer and she is doing a run to raise money for a cancer charity.

But police have warned the woman is a fake and is cashing in on people's goodwill.

She is described as aged around 20, tall and slim with dyed black hair.

Sergeant Andy Millwood said: "The address this woman gives is false and she quickly picks up the names of different neighbours and then uses this detail to add to her credibility.

"We need people to be alert to the fact this is happening and to contact us immediately if approached," he added.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 08457 444 888 or 0845 113 5000. Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.