Distraction Burglars - 17th Jan 2012 11:58am
Just spotted this on Mersey Mag, please warn any elderly family members and neighbours in the area
Mersey Magazine
Hope I have correctly placed link, if not it is details about a distraction burglary of an 80 year old man in Dawson Ave Birkenhead last week
Mersey Magazine
Hope I have correctly placed link, if not it is details about a distraction burglary of an 80 year old man in Dawson Ave Birkenhead last week
Originally Posted by merseymagazine
Detectives are appealing for witnesses following a distraction burglary in Birkenhead.
Officers were called to Dawson Avenue on January 5, after receiving a report that at around 2.30pm two offenders posing as repair men had stolen a quantity of cash from the home of a man in his 80s.
The pair asked the victim if they could fix his guttering for a charge of £20. After the
victim agreed one of the men then asked if he could use the toilet and subsequently stole a large amount of cash before leaving without carrying out the work.
One of the men is described as white, around 5ft 7in tall and of stocky build. He spoke with an Irish accent and was wearing a yellow high visibility jacket, blue jeans and work boots. He was driving a white low loader van with sides.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “This was a despicable offence preying on an elderly vulnerable man.
“We urge anyone who may have seen two men acting suspiciously around the area, or who has been approached by the men to carry out repair work, to call us in case they have vital information that could help this investigation.
“We would also like to remind people to be on their guard against bogus officials and unsolicited callers as well as to keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbours and relatives.”
The following information could prevent you from becoming a victim of a distraction burglary:
Do not open your door if you are unsure of who the caller is.
Always keep the key chain on the door while talking to the caller and check their identity before letting them into your home.
Keep the door closed while checking the identity of the caller by ringing the company they’re purporting to be from such as the gas, water or electricity boards or the council. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider and not any numbers provided by the caller as they may be false.
Never leave large amounts of money in your home – put it in the bank or post office where it is safe.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call Wirral CID on 0151 777 2265, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Officers were called to Dawson Avenue on January 5, after receiving a report that at around 2.30pm two offenders posing as repair men had stolen a quantity of cash from the home of a man in his 80s.
The pair asked the victim if they could fix his guttering for a charge of £20. After the
victim agreed one of the men then asked if he could use the toilet and subsequently stole a large amount of cash before leaving without carrying out the work.
One of the men is described as white, around 5ft 7in tall and of stocky build. He spoke with an Irish accent and was wearing a yellow high visibility jacket, blue jeans and work boots. He was driving a white low loader van with sides.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “This was a despicable offence preying on an elderly vulnerable man.
“We urge anyone who may have seen two men acting suspiciously around the area, or who has been approached by the men to carry out repair work, to call us in case they have vital information that could help this investigation.
“We would also like to remind people to be on their guard against bogus officials and unsolicited callers as well as to keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbours and relatives.”
The following information could prevent you from becoming a victim of a distraction burglary:
Do not open your door if you are unsure of who the caller is.
Always keep the key chain on the door while talking to the caller and check their identity before letting them into your home.
Keep the door closed while checking the identity of the caller by ringing the company they’re purporting to be from such as the gas, water or electricity boards or the council. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider and not any numbers provided by the caller as they may be false.
Never leave large amounts of money in your home – put it in the bank or post office where it is safe.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call Wirral CID on 0151 777 2265, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.