ACT Policing have arrested the man at the centre of concerns about door-knocking and approaching people in the Weston Creek area for money.

The man has been charged with obtaining property by deception, possession of stolen property and providing false details.

Police will allege he approached a number of elderly people seeking money based on false stories and, in some cases, money was provided to the man.

Residents have previously voiced their concerns on social media about being approached for money by a doorknocker in the early hours of the morning asking for money to travel to Sydney where his daughter had been killed in a car accident.

Last week, deputy opposition leader and Member for Murrumbidgee, Giulia Jones, sponsored a community petition, calling on the ACT Government to take action against the behaviour in the Weston Creek area.

“We decided to put together a petition to demonstrate the level of concern in the community about this behaviour,” Ms Jones said.

“The first call is to remind people that they need to report every [approach] to the police … it has to be a really substantial volume of reporting.”

The man was provided watch house bail and is set to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on 28 June.

ACT Policing has reminded people if they are approached by a person seeking money, they should “question the legitimacy of their story” and report it via Crimestoppers.

“If at any time you feel unsafe in the presence of the person then call police on 131 444.”

ACT Policing are calling for any information on the man’s activities, which can be reported to Crime Stoppers via 1800 333 000, or via crimestoppersact.com.au.