Officers are appealing for information after two elderly women became the victim of distraction burglaries in Farnborough.
At around 3.30pm on Saturday, April 21, a 78-year-old woman was at home at an address in Jenkins Place, Peabody Road, Farnborough, when a man rang the buzzer to her flat and claimed he had a parcel for her. The victim let him in and a man and woman entered the house.
Once inside they began to talk to the victim about collecting money for charity. They said that they had been raising money and were giving it away and the man asked the victim if she had any change for a £10 note. She got up to find her purse. As she looked for her purse, it was thrown at her by the man.
The man and woman then left. The victim then noticed that £200 in cash was missing from her purse.
Officers have descriptions of the two people they would like to speak to.
The man is described as:
White
In his mid 20s to early 30s
Of a big build
Between 5ft 8ins to 6ft
Light brown short hair
Wearing a light coloured top and dark trousers
The woman is described as:
White
Aged in her late teens to early 20s
Between 5ft and 5ft 6ins
Slim to medium build
Dark brown hair in a pony tail
Wearing a white top, three quarter length trousers and light trainers
At around 3.30pm on Thursday, April 19, a 77-year-old woman was at home at an address in Matthews Close, Farnborough, when a man knocked at her door and claimed to be from the water board. He told her he needed to come inside to check her taps. She let him in and he asked to go to the kitchen while he left the front door open.
When the man had left the victim noticed that money and credit cards were missing.
The man who distracted the victim is described as:
White
Aged about 30
5ft 2ins
Slim build
Clean Shaven
Brown hair with side parting
Smartly dressed and presentable in a navy blue shirt and brown tie
After the incident, a neighbour saw a total of three men leave the address and alerted the local warden who called the police.
Officers have descriptions of the other two men.
The first man is described as:
White
5ft 10ins
Slim build
Aged 20 to 25
Red hair, long on top and short at the back
Wearing a white shirt and black trousers
The second man is described as:
White
5't 10ins
Stocky build
Black hair
Aged 20 to 25
Wearing a blue shirt
PC Nick Horsey said: “These incidents are examples of this sort of cowardly and sickening crime where offenders deliberately target vulnerable and elderly people.
“I would urge residents to be vigilant and look out for suspicious people in their community. If you see someone acting suspiciously, call the police immediately. How would you like it if your parents or grandparents became a victim of this sort of crime? If you have any information that you feel may help our enquires, please get in touch and help us prevent more people falling victim to these sorts of criminals.”
Officers are offering the following Safer Homes advice to avoid becoming a victim of this sort of crime: Burglars can fool you into thinking they are genuine callers. Don't be the one who invites them in. If in doubt, keep them out!
• Stop – are you expecting anyone to call on you? Do you know the person at the door? Don’t be misled by what appear to be genuine reasons for calling on you.
• Check – A genuine caller will carry identification and will be happy to wait outside while you check it. Remember to source your own number for the company they are claiming to be from, don’t accept a number from the caller.
• Chain – fit a door chain or spy hole so that you can speak to callers or check who they are without opening the door fully.
If you turn anyone away from your home because they could not provide you with a genuine reason for being there, or you are suspicious of callers in your area, contact the police.
You can contact your local police station on 0845 045 45 45. In an emergency always dial 999. Anyone with any information regarding these incidents should contact PC Horsey or PC Dennis in the Priority Crime Unit at Aldershot police station on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
At around 3.30pm on Saturday, April 21, a 78-year-old woman was at home at an address in Jenkins Place, Peabody Road, Farnborough, when a man rang the buzzer to her flat and claimed he had a parcel for her. The victim let him in and a man and woman entered the house.
Once inside they began to talk to the victim about collecting money for charity. They said that they had been raising money and were giving it away and the man asked the victim if she had any change for a £10 note. She got up to find her purse. As she looked for her purse, it was thrown at her by the man.
The man and woman then left. The victim then noticed that £200 in cash was missing from her purse.
Officers have descriptions of the two people they would like to speak to.
The man is described as:
White
In his mid 20s to early 30s
Of a big build
Between 5ft 8ins to 6ft
Light brown short hair
Wearing a light coloured top and dark trousers
The woman is described as:
White
Aged in her late teens to early 20s
Between 5ft and 5ft 6ins
Slim to medium build
Dark brown hair in a pony tail
Wearing a white top, three quarter length trousers and light trainers
At around 3.30pm on Thursday, April 19, a 77-year-old woman was at home at an address in Matthews Close, Farnborough, when a man knocked at her door and claimed to be from the water board. He told her he needed to come inside to check her taps. She let him in and he asked to go to the kitchen while he left the front door open.
When the man had left the victim noticed that money and credit cards were missing.
The man who distracted the victim is described as:
White
Aged about 30
5ft 2ins
Slim build
Clean Shaven
Brown hair with side parting
Smartly dressed and presentable in a navy blue shirt and brown tie
After the incident, a neighbour saw a total of three men leave the address and alerted the local warden who called the police.
Officers have descriptions of the other two men.
The first man is described as:
White
5ft 10ins
Slim build
Aged 20 to 25
Red hair, long on top and short at the back
Wearing a white shirt and black trousers
The second man is described as:
White
5't 10ins
Stocky build
Black hair
Aged 20 to 25
Wearing a blue shirt
PC Nick Horsey said: “These incidents are examples of this sort of cowardly and sickening crime where offenders deliberately target vulnerable and elderly people.
“I would urge residents to be vigilant and look out for suspicious people in their community. If you see someone acting suspiciously, call the police immediately. How would you like it if your parents or grandparents became a victim of this sort of crime? If you have any information that you feel may help our enquires, please get in touch and help us prevent more people falling victim to these sorts of criminals.”
Officers are offering the following Safer Homes advice to avoid becoming a victim of this sort of crime: Burglars can fool you into thinking they are genuine callers. Don't be the one who invites them in. If in doubt, keep them out!
• Stop – are you expecting anyone to call on you? Do you know the person at the door? Don’t be misled by what appear to be genuine reasons for calling on you.
• Check – A genuine caller will carry identification and will be happy to wait outside while you check it. Remember to source your own number for the company they are claiming to be from, don’t accept a number from the caller.
• Chain – fit a door chain or spy hole so that you can speak to callers or check who they are without opening the door fully.
If you turn anyone away from your home because they could not provide you with a genuine reason for being there, or you are suspicious of callers in your area, contact the police.
You can contact your local police station on 0845 045 45 45. In an emergency always dial 999. Anyone with any information regarding these incidents should contact PC Horsey or PC Dennis in the Priority Crime Unit at Aldershot police station on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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