DISTRACTION BURGLARS TARGET ELDERLY RESIDENTS
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Alert. This information has been sent on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police
Message sent by
Gemma Berry (Nottinghamshire Police, Media Relations Officer, Nottinghamshire)
Have you or your elderly relatives or neighbours been approached by burglars claiming to be from a utility company?
Residents in Nottinghamshire are being urged to take care with doorstep callers this Christmas, after two burglaries in which men claimed to be from ‘the Waterboard’.
At just after 8pm last Friday (6 December 2013) an elderly man was sleeping in his home when he awoke to three white men entering his bedroom. They claimed there had been an explosion in the area.
The men had forced entry through a rear window of his home in Cardale Road, Carlton, and later made off through the back door with stolen cash.
One of these men was around 5ft 8ins tall and of stocky build.
At just after 9pm that same evening an elderly woman opened the door of her home, in Bagnall Road, Old Basford, to three men who told her they were from ‘the Waterboard’.
Two of these men distracted her by filling up a number of saucepans with water in the kitchen, while the other went upstairs and looked through her belongings.
They later left on foot with a large amount of cash.
Neither victim was injured but they were left distressed, and police are now asking neighbours or relatives of elderly people to look out for them this festive season to stop intrusions into their home.
If an elderly neighbour or relative reports a suspicious caller, don’t let it go unreported as somebody else nearby may become the next victim.
Always lock your doors and windows, even if you are in.
Check who is at the door, either through a spy hole or a window, and never answer the door if you are in any doubt about the caller.
If you do answer the door, ask to see identification, and phone the company they are reporting from to verify.
If you are in any doubt, ask the caller to make an appointment to return at a later date when you can arrange to be in the house with someone else.
If you or you know someone who has been a victim of a crime of this nature, or if you have been approached in your home in a similar way, we would like to hear from you. Contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.