Arrest as 'workmen' demanded cash in Bookham

A man has been arrested after a 76-year-old woman was driven to a building society and told to withdraw money for work on her house she did not want.

Surrey Police said workmen began carrying out repairs the woman's house in Bookham, near Leatherhead, without her agreement.

They demanded she withdrew £1,000 from the building society but cashiers refused to carry out the transaction.

A 46-year-old man from Chilworth was arrested and bailed over the incident.

The force said the woman's 81-year-old husband was left at the house while she was taken to the building society on Tuesday.

Det Con Leigh Wall said: "I would urge people to remain vigilant when cold-callers offer to carry out work and ask that carers, friends, family and neighbours pay close attention to those who are vulnerable or elderly.

"It's good to see bank staff are switched-on to this kind of con and an alert employee refused the cash withdrawal on this occasion."