Witness Appeal After Ellesmere Distraction Burglary
Police in Ellesmere have appealed for information after an elderly man was targeted by distraction burglars.
A man knocked at the door of the victim’s home in Oswestry Road at about 5pm yesterday and claimed there was a problem with the water pressure and he needed to come inside and check.
He told the victim to turn on and run the tap, before leaving a few minutes later. While the victim was distracted, a second offender has entered the house and stolen an amount of cash.
Police Constable Howard Lewis, Local Policing Officer for Ellesmere, appealed for anyone who might have seen people acting suspiciously in the area during that afternoon and evening to get in touch on 0300 333 3000.
“This is a particularly despicable offence in which the trusting victim was targeted because he was vulnerable due to his age,” he said.
“Please contact police on 0300 333 3000 or the anonymous Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111 if you have any information which might help our investigation.”
The man who knocked on the door was white, aged in his late 30s or early 40s, of medium to heavy build and between about 5ft 5in and 5ft 7in in height. He had an oval face and was clean shaven, speaking with a local accent.
He was wearing a worn, fawn coloured, tweed working jacket with a button front, a fawn flat cap and working shoes.
It is too early to say at this stage whether the incident is linked to another similar offence in Shrewsbury on Wednesday.
PC Lewis also urged the public to keep an eye on their elderly neighbours, friends and family and encourage them to never open the door to an unexpected or unknown caller.
“Urge them to never open the door if they are not expecting anyone, but to talk to the caller through a window. If you have no other choice, use a door chain and do not allow them in without any identification, which you can verify using a number from the telephone book.” he said.
“Anyone who claims they need to get into your house for whatever reason should be turned away and, if you have concerns or they are persistent, the police contacted on 0300 333 3000.
“West Mercia Police operates a campaign called Knock Knock, which offers advice on dealing with bogus and cold callers. Call 0300 333 3000 for more information or visit our website at www.westmercia.police.uk.
“If you have arranged for anyone for a utility company or workman to come around in advance, set up a ‘password protect scheme’ in addition to asking for identification so they can prove who they are.
“All utility companies offer this service and when one of their representatives arrives, he or she will give you the password you have registered with them in advance.”
