Attempted distraction burglary

Kidderminster

[email protected]

Site Designed By

Commatic Limited

Attempted distraction burglary

Police are appealing for information about an attempted distraction burglary in Kidderminster.

The victim, a woman in her 80s, opened the door of her flat in Oldnall Road to a man who claimed he was from a company called Nationwide and needed to check the water by putting some dye into it. She asked him for identification which he could not produce and he was refused entry.

A second man then appeared and told the woman all the other flats had been checked, and hers was the only one still left to do, but again she refused entry and both men left without gaining access.

It happened between about 5pm and 5.30pm on Friday 5th October.
The offenders were both white.
The first man was aged 40 to 50, 5ft 10ins tall, of heavy build, with a chubby face and pasty complexion. He was wearing blue denim work jacket and trousers, and black workman's boots, and was scruffy and dirty in appearance. The second man was in his late 20s to early 30s, 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build, with short dark hair, and more smartly dressed in trousers and a jacket.
No vehicle was seen but police believe they would have had one parked in either Hill Grove Crescent, Oldnall Road or Russell Road.

Detective Constable Phil Christie of Kidderminster CID said: "The woman did exactly the right thing in demanding to see identification, and when the men could not provide it, refusing to be pressurised into allowing them in.
"I would like to hear from anyone who may have noticed two men matching the description hanging around the area, including anyone with information about vehicles they may have been using. We would also like to hear from anyone else who the offenders may have visited in the area at the time."
Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Christie on 08457 444888 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

West Mercia Constabulary's Knock Knock campaign has been set up to tackle distraction burglaries and to offer advice on how to prevent them.

Members of the local community can help by:
Keeping an eye on people calling in the area or acting suspiciously
Noting the registration numbers of vehicles parked in the area for a period of time
Encouraging vulnerable people to check a caller’s identity carefully and to keep their door on a chain. If they have any doubt about the caller’s integrity they should not let them into their home
Calling on vulnerable people on a regular basis. If it is not too much trouble, help them keep their front garden tidy and find reliable tradespeople for any maintenance work that really does need to be undertaken
Calling 08457 444888 to provide information to the police about suspicious people, activity or vehicles however insignificant it may seem
If a distraction burglary has taken place or been attempted, encourage the victim to report it as quickly as possible

Permalink: http://www.thesite.co.uk/viewnewsstory.asp?newsid=2033

Other Kidderminster News

Bank details warning
Posted: 24/07/2008 15:39:32
Kidderminster Carnival parade
Posted: 12/06/2008 17:31:04
Property marking in Kidderminster
Posted: 10/04/2008 20:02:13
Advice session a success
Posted: 25/02/2008 22:23:34
Advice session for Polish workers in Kidderminster
Posted: 18/02/2008 18:24:46
Appeal to parents over parking
Posted: 12/09/2007 16:13:17
Commendation for Kidderminster Local Policing Team
Posted: 28/08/2007 18:51:44
Property marking session
Posted: 21/06/2007 10:37:08
Roads closed for carnival parade
Posted: 19/06/2007 13:13:41
New police base
Posted: 06/05/2007 12:59:40
Free property coding session
Posted: 01/05/2007 14:11:33
Sutton Park PACT
Posted: 29/03/2007 08:51:57
Picasso prints come to Kidderminster
Posted: 24/01/2007 11:55:32
Leisure Pool Re-opens with a Splash!
Posted: 19/01/2007 22:48:34

Other News From Around The County

Colwall - Book Club opens new chapter for parents
Posted: 12/10/2009 12:26:13
Colwall - Colwall Bridge officially opened
Posted: 28/09/2009 00:00:18
Hagley - Hagley police station reopening
Posted: 22/01/2009 17:52:45
Areley Kings - Areley Kings PACT meeting
Posted: 22/01/2009 17:52:23
Alvechurch - Bus shelter gets a new look
Posted: 02/01/2009 21:34:00
Redditch - Christmas fair is hailed a success
Posted: 12/12/2008 20:19:21
Redditch - Batchley residents to benefit from SmartWater
Posted: 24/09/2008 10:06:11
Redditch - Street art project draws Redditch youngsters
Posted: 14/08/2008 00:18:48
Worcester - Cash Machine Tampered With
Posted: 08/08/2008 07:25:43
Worcester - Pedal in the Park is back
Posted: 08/07/2008 21:19:50
Bewdley - Bewdley Youth PACT
Posted: 24/06/2008 23:17:09
Worcester - Vehicle crime slashed by 30 per cent
Posted: 17/06/2008 20:16:41
Cofton Hackett - Operation Cofton targets burglaries
Posted: 05/06/2008 18:40:09
Redditch - Police surgery in Redditch
Posted: 20/05/2008 11:35:42
Bromsgrove - PACT postboxes
Posted: 18/05/2008 13:47:21
Redditch - Neighbourhood watch
Posted: 14/05/2008 10:51:23
Malvern - All systems grow at Malvern Spring Gardening Show
Posted: 06/05/2008 17:57:26
Redditch - Art workshops put Redditch in the picture
Posted: 03/05/2008 18:30:40
Bromsgrove - A Million Hours of Kindness
Posted: 03/05/2008 18:29:52
Malvern - One Of UK's Rarest Cars Stolen In Malvern
Posted: 29/04/2008 22:32:08
Bewdley - County Council starts work on extending school
Posted: 24/04/2008 20:48:04

Back to main Kidderminster page