Suspicious circumstances

We would like to make you aware of some suspicious circumstances that occurred in Thrupp, Stroud on 17/06/2026 at approximately 7pm.

A male knocked on the door of an elderly couple who did not have a car on their driveway. The male stated he was working for the University of Bristol and with local Doctors Surgeries, conducting research on dementia. The male was very pushy and asking personal questions. After some challenging from the couple, the male wanted money. When this was not given, he walked away.

The male did not approach every house on the street. The University of Bristol have been contacted who have said it is unlikely that research would be carried out this way and they are not aware of this research being conducted. 

The male was black with short black hair, wearing a red top and carried a folder and iPad. No identification was shown or offered.  

We are unsure on the identification of this male at present, so please do supply any further information to the police via calling 101 or by submitting and online form through the Gloucestershire Constabulary website.  

You can give information anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or reporting online: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

You can find plenty of crime prevention advice on our website: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

Please note, we're unable to accept reports of crime through Your Neighbourhood Alerts. You can report non-emergency crime online here. Always call 999 in an emergency.