Gangs of thieves preying on residents of a Hull housing estate by offering to cut their grass have been labelled "scum of the earth".
Groups of men are tricking Bransholme people into thinking they will cut their lawns before making off with expensive items such as laptops and jewellery. Elderly and vulnerable people are among those being targeted, a local councillor says.
The men, in their late 20s and early 30s, work in pairs and after knocking on residents' doors, offer to cut their grass for £10.
As one of them distracts the homeowner for several minutes, the other sneaks into the house on the hunt for items they can easily run away with.
They then tell the resident they will return to do the job – whether it be a community grass area or private lawn – but are never seen again.
It comes following several articles in the Mail about residents' anger at community grass areas not being cut by Hull City Council.
Bransholme East councillor Anita Harrison said: "These thieves are scum of the earth and they make me sick. I would stick them in a corner and have them shot. It is that serious.
"The elderly and disabled are being targeted and how dare they do that.
"These are good community people who are in the twilight of their lives. They have contributed to the economy and to the local community for so many years and now they are being treated like dirt by scumbags and opportunists.
"The victims are proud people who want their grass, whether it is their own, or patches outside their homes, looking neat and tidy. They are gullible and these men take advantage.
"My message to the thieves would be, what if this was your mum, or your grandma being targeted?
"I am sick with anger."
There have been "floods" of reports to estate councillors about the problem over the past month.
It is understood one of the gangs is the same one notorious for a similar operation on the estate last summer.
Councillor Harrison, who is also Deputy Lord Mayor of Hull, fears the problem could now spread city wide.
"We have experienced problems with grass cutting across the city and I am worried the gangs may start spreading out to other parts of Hull," she said.
"We need to stop them before that happens."
The council has had to slash the frequency of grass cuts because it is having to make substantial savings from its budget.
North Bransholme resident Teresa Davis, 60, said: "I was targeted a few weeks ago.
"One man came to my door and there were some more in a van outside. I am not sure if there was anyone else ready to pounce anywhere else. But it didn't feel right and I felt intimidated.
"They didn't have any identification. It was a pathetic attempt to get in my house, I am sure, and so I told them to buzz off.
"I have heard a lot of people have been affected by this. They have to be strong and say 'no' to these crooks."
Carl Mitchell, assistant director of operations, at social housing provider Riverside, said: "We would urge all our tenants and residents to report any suspicious behaviour or theft to the police immediately.
"If anyone is suspicious of visitors, always check their identification. If you are still concerned, do not let them in your home."
Another North Bransholme resident, 72, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I lost some jewellery after a man came to the door. It was taken from my kitchen.
"It wasn't worth an awful lot but it had sentimental value.
"There is word going about the estate that these men are doing this and hopefully they will stop doing it or get caught in the act.
"We just want to live a normal life without worrying about who is going to knock on the door next."
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