Distraction Burglaries
Please be aware of some of the Modes of Operation that
have been used throughout Cheshire recently to try and gain entry
to residential properties. Offenders tend to be male and in the
majority of cases target elderly or more vulnerable people. Only
one incident has occurred in our
area and that was in Wilmslow but it is worthwhile to be forewarned
about
these methods as people who are involved in distraction burglaries
are often fairly mobile and don't remain in the same area for
long to minimise their chances of being identified.
- Man approaches property claiming that he is from the 'water
board' and he needs to turn the water off for 48 hours as there
has been an explosion. He asks the resident to take him through
to the kitchen and to empty the cupboard under the sink while
he turns the taps off. At this time a second offender has entered
the property, made an untidy search downstairs and removed
cash from the property.
- Man knocks on door of property stating that he needs to change
the battery in the gas meter. When questioned as to where he
was from he retorted "Do you want it doing or not?" The resident
declined and the man left.
- Man calls at residential address asking if resident wants
any work doing to his guttering. Resident declines, but later
sees the same man coming out of an elderly neighbour's house.
He enquires of the neighbour and learns that the man claimed
that he had done some work for the lady and she has given him
£10 and is now unable to find her purse.
Please remember that although the more standard Modes of Operation
for distraction burglaries involves men posing as tradesmen,
women and smartly dressed individuals can also be involved in
such incidents, so please exercise caution regardless of who is
at your door.
The following incident occurred
in the Wilmslow area on 29th July 2009 ...
A lady called to report that two men from 'the water board' came
to her house around midday. They were asking to check the water
meter. She struggled to find her water meter; one man stayed
with her and she caught the other man coming out of the front
room. She believed this to be suspicious so she contacted
United Utilities who confirmed that they had no workers in the
area. When questioned the lady said she thought they had taken
£20 from her bedroom.
Descriptions given as young, foreign, wearing
plain navy blue overalls.
Description:
- Male, late teens, early 20's, white, 5ft 7, medium build,
round face, clean shaven, short light brown hair which was
cropped short with scissors, ordinary looking features, wearing
navy all in one boiler suit which was fastened up, no motives
on boiler suit, had foreign accent - no english but other man
understood English better.
- Male, 30 years old or slightly older, white, 5ft 10, medium
build, similar round face, clean shaven, light brown hair similar
to male 1, this man is definitely not English, language extremely
limited, also in a navy blue boiler suit all in one and fastened
up.
If you think you see either or both of these, particularly in
the Wilmslow area, please call 999. If you think you may have seen
them earlier then please call 0845 458 0000.
Several incidents in East Cheshire, November 2009
Police have issued a “keep them out” warning after a series of
bogus caller burglaries across East Cheshire.
In each case the caller used a story about investigating problems
with heating systems. Police believe that although the incidents
did not all involve the same offender they are probably the work
of the same criminal team.
They also point out that on one occasion, in Congleton, the elderly
woman householder defeated the criminal by shutting the door
and refusing to let him into the house. “That is the best defence
against these criminals,” said Detective Inspector Nigel Groom,
“Do not let anyone you do not know into your home. If they cannot
get in, they cannot steal.
Two of the burglaries were reported on November 4th in the Broad
Street area of Crewe and at Church Lawton. The previous day
there was a similar incident in the Hurdsfield district of Macclesfield
and the unsuccessful one at Congleton. There was also one in
Winsford on the same day.
“The story being used is that there is a problem with the heating
in a neighbouring house and the caller needs to check the
pressure,” said DI Groom. “It is nonsense because a heating problem
in one house would not affect another. But they can easily change
the story, so the simple message is ‘do
not let any stranger into your home’.
The man involved in the incident in Crewe is described
as about twenty years old and five feet nine inches tall with
short cropped hair. He was wearing a grey jumper, dark trousers
or jeans and had a pair of pink knitted gloves.
The caller at Church Lawton was in his late thirties and
well-spoken, wearing a smart grey suit, shirt and tie. He
was medium build with a slightly podgy face.
Detective Inspector Groom said, “As usual these
despicable criminals are preying on the elderly and vulnerable.
Once they get in they will take whatever cash they can lay their
hands on. They do not care about the affect on the victim.
Many old people find this sort of thing very distressing.
“We would ask anyone who has elderly friends, neighbours
or relatives to make them aware of the issue and keep an
eye open for them. If you see anyone acting suspiciously
around the home of an elderly or vulnerable person call the
Cheshire Police Information line 0845 458 000.”
Jane Thirsk
Watch Officer
Macclesfield Neighbourhood Policing Team
0845 458 6371
