Elderly Women Targeted In Distraction Burglaries, Worcester

Police are appealing for witnesses after two distraction burglaries, which may be linked, occurred in and around Worcester yesterday (11 July).

At around 3pm, a man called at the home of a woman in her 70s in Ennerdale Close, Warndon, claiming that he worked at nearby roadworks and he needed to check her water.

He asked the victim to empty her cupboards under the sink and hold the taps while he checks the radiators and water system upstairs. He asked the victim to do the same upstairs while he was downstairs.

Claiming that he needed a tool, he left and the victim has realised he stole around £70.

He was described as white, 5ft 9ins tall, heavily built, had shaved blonde hair, a tanned complexion and was unshaven. He had a local-sounding accent and was wearing a blue baseball cap.

At some time between 3pm and 4pm, a man has also called at a property in Malvern Close in the village of Broadheath, where the resident is a disabled woman in her 90s. He has told her that he is from the water board, or something similar, and searched each of her rooms, stealing around £100 in cash.

The man was described as white, wearing a cap and smelling of chemicals.

Detective Sergeant Dave Knight from Worcester CID said: "Distraction burglars are without morals, targeting some of the most vulnerable people in society.

"We are keeping an open mind about whether or not these incidents are linked but the two callers have used similar techniques to gain entry to the elderly ladies' properties.

"I am appealing for anyone who saw any suspicious activity around Warndon or Broadheath on Wednesday afternoon to contact the police. If you live in those areas and have had any unexpected and unusual callers in recent days, we would like to hear from you.

"I would also like to ask those people who have elderly neighbours to keep an eye on anyone calling at their home. Make a note of details such as times and vehicles; some older people have agreed with their neighbours to receive callers on their behalf so they can check their ID and so on."

DS Knight can be contacted via the non-emergency police number 101 or information can be passed on anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Issued: Thursday 12 July 2012