Saturday 20 October 2007

Elderly couple victims of distraction burglars

Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen two men who stole £1,000 from an elderly Farnborough couple.
At about 5pm Tuesday, October 16, an 84-year-old man answered a knock on the door of his flat in Sand Hill, Farnborough. A man, claiming to be a water board employee, said he had been working in the flat above and need to check the water supply to prevent any leaks.
The resident admitted the caller and left the door ajar. In the kitchen, the bogus worker engaged the man and his 85-year-old wife in conversation. Police believe a second man entered the flat and took £1,000 from a wardrobe before leaving. The first caller then left.
The first visitor is described as dark European and of average height. He was slim with short dark hair and spoke broken English. He wore a dark fleece.
The couple, who were saving the cash to pay winter heating bills and to put towards funeral expenses, were left devastated by the theft.
Farnborough PC Christopher Thoday said: “I would appeal to anybody who saw anyone matching the description to contact police with details.
“This sort of crime does not happen very often in Farnborough, but, when it does, the impact on the victim is enormous.
“Anyone who gets a knock on the door from someone claiming to be from a local authority or utility company should always check identification. If they are in any doubt about the person, they should refuse entry and contact the police for advice by ringing 101.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Thoday at Farnborough on 0845 045 45 45 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

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