Stealing

[Deb2014]

Hi there, this is my first time here.

On behalf of my elderly mother who is in vulnerable position. Since last summer she lost her partner and at the same had a terrible leg accident. Well she has now discovered her cleaner (who was sent from an agent with crb checks) has been stealing from her since she lost her partner. Over the months and only just recently, my mother has noticed that precious sentimental items of gold jewellery trinkets have been stolen and expensive bottles of whiskey, champagne and perfumes and lots of other things. The cleaner had left behind the empty boxes and tubes that the drink and perfumes came in. So that she didn't notice the theft because with picking these empty boxes, my mother thought they were still there.

My mother confronted the cleaner 2 weeks ago and of course she strongly denied any of it. The agency have been of NO help and this has now caused my mother's health to deteriorate. We know 100% this is the cleaner's doing!! my mother lives alone and has no family or friends that have been inside her house.

Please give me some advice to pass on to my mother. The police didn't really help, they just gave her a crime report number and posted some leaflets!!

Thank you for reading this. sad

Regards to you all.

[Cookiepants]

This is terrible, so sad that your mum does not feel safe at home.

Maybe a nanny cam CCTV type of thing to catch them in the act?

[whataboutbob]

I'm going to take a very deep breath and suggest you double check your mum's claims. Does her story tally with what you have observed? Are the empty perfume/ champagne bottles still around? Do you know what the missing jewelry was and is it definitely gone?
I am saying this because about 5-7 years ago Dad was ringing up on a weekly basis saying various items were missing from his home (also jewelry which had belonged to my late mum, stuff he'd inherited from his Dad and which he believed had value etc). He'd blame it on my brother's friends, invariably I'd go round to his and find it. Dad has always been a little paranoid about being robbed, and 2 years ago he was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Sadly paranoia is also a common symptom of dementia.
If none of this applies to your mum, then my apologies; I just thought it was worth flagging up.

[Deb2014]

cookiepants & whatabout bob and to everyone else, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help and advice.

My mother has been in touch with aged concern (last week) and the police didn't confirm that they had visited said cleaner, who runs her own hair dressing salon!

@ whataboutbob

Hi

Sorry to hear about your dad. I wish him well x
Last summer I went to stay with my mother for 3 weeks (she lives a long way away from me) I have children and cannot always be there as often as I wish I could!

I know for certain she is correct in her mind because she showed me her gold bracelet with trinkets on (insured for £3,000) and pointed out the fact that one of the trinkets had become loose. She never wears it and that has now gone. Jubilee coins which she bought for myself and sister back in the 70's have gone! precious pieces of crystal i.e. cake tier and bowls. I seen the stock of drinks too, when I was there. She finds things missing on a day to day basis (obviously she didn't notice they had gone until she started looking for things) or went to put some parfume on (empty boxes) all the drinks were her partners R.I.P. C - She only goes out in her car once a week. So I know everything was there when I left in August 2013. I even said hello to the cleaner whilst my mother was in hospital after her accident. She only did cleaning for my mother and her own mother once a week.

Thank you all xx

[whataboutbob]

Hi deb- given what you say it does sound as if your mum has been a victim of theft. In my case I usually found the " missing " items within. 30 mins of looking ( and dad was hoarder so his place was a mess). Of course, cases of theft by carers do happen. I hope the police start to take this more seriously.

[fridayfreedom]

Report this to adult services as a safeguarding issue. They have a duty to look at cases where vulnerable people are subject to abuse.
They should raise it with the police as they have links via safeguarding.
I would also speak to trading standards re the agency they often have a vulnerable persons section.