Distraction burglary warning
By Martin Chapman on Friday, 8th October 2004.
Haverhill residents are being reminded to stop, chain and check, following an attempted distraction burglary in the town.
The incident occurred at around 12.30pm on Thursday afternoon. A man called at an address in Clayhive Drive saying he needed to turn the water pressure down. The 81-year-old woman said she wasn't able to do that.
A few minutes later a second man knocked at the door, and he asked to come in so he could adjust the pressure. HE was allowed in and he told her to leave the front door open in case his colleague needed to get in. She refused to do this and the shortly after the man left.
It is not believed that anything was stolen.
Detective Constable Patricia Beamish who is investigating the incident said "Distraction burglary is a despicable offence often targeted towards elderly and vulnerable members of our community. Fortunately they were not successful on this occasion but this does not detract from our determination to trace these offenders."
The advise from police was for friends and relatives of the elderly to advise them to be cautious whenever an unexpected caller knocks and use the STOP, CHAIN, CHECK code - it could prevent the heartache of having valuables stolen.
We would always recommend that before you open the door to a caller that you STOP and consider if you are expecting anyone, lock any other doors to your property and then CHAIN or bar your door before opening it. Then CHECK the caller has photographic identification. Make sure that you are not happy with the identification provided, keep them out and dial 999.
The incident occurred at around 12.30pm on Thursday afternoon. A man called at an address in Clayhive Drive saying he needed to turn the water pressure down. The 81-year-old woman said she wasn't able to do that.
A few minutes later a second man knocked at the door, and he asked to come in so he could adjust the pressure. HE was allowed in and he told her to leave the front door open in case his colleague needed to get in. She refused to do this and the shortly after the man left.
It is not believed that anything was stolen.
Detective Constable Patricia Beamish who is investigating the incident said "Distraction burglary is a despicable offence often targeted towards elderly and vulnerable members of our community. Fortunately they were not successful on this occasion but this does not detract from our determination to trace these offenders."
The advise from police was for friends and relatives of the elderly to advise them to be cautious whenever an unexpected caller knocks and use the STOP, CHAIN, CHECK code - it could prevent the heartache of having valuables stolen.
We would always recommend that before you open the door to a caller that you STOP and consider if you are expecting anyone, lock any other doors to your property and then CHAIN or bar your door before opening it. Then CHECK the caller has photographic identification. Make sure that you are not happy with the identification provided, keep them out and dial 999.
Comment on this story
[board listing] [login] [register]
You must be logged in to post messages. (login now)