11 July 2012 Last updated at 10:15 ET

Man due in Edinburgh Sheriff Court over bogus house calls

A man is due to appear in court in connection with a series of bogus caller crimes in Edinburgh.

The 15 incidents involved elderly people who were visited at home and distracted while the caller allegedly stole from the property.

Thousands in property and cash have been taken in the incidents, which have occurred across the city since November last year.

A 31-year-old was arrested as part of the police's Operation Aristotle.

The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court later.

DCI Sara Buchanan, Lothian and Borders Police, said: "Bogus callers deliberately prey on vulnerable members of the community, using a variety of ruses in order to rob people who allow them into their homes in good faith.

"Bogus callers will often claim to be calling on behalf of a utility company to carry out essential maintenance work, or they will offer other services including gardening and roofing.

"Once they gain access to a property they will then distract their victim with the intention of stealing from them."