Two men posing as builders stole over £800 from an elderly couple after tricking their way into their Lancaster home.
The elderly home owner had noticed the males walking along Halton Road, late last Thursday morning (4th March). One of the men had beckoned him to the front door and then said that they were carrying out some work on a nearby property and needed to check the water supply.
The elderly couple were then made to clear out under their kitchen cupboards, but while they were doing this, one of the men went into another room and took around £800 in cash. The pair then left.
One of the males was described as a white male, of medium build and speaking with a Scottish accent.
“This was a callous crime which targeted two pensioners in their own home,” commented Detective Inspector Glen Oldham of Lancaster CID. “I would urge anyone else who may have been visited by the pair, or who may have seen them in the surrounding area, to contact us.”
Doorstep crime can take a number of forms but is carried out by criminals who deliberately target the most vulnerable members of our communities. The average age of such victims is 78, according to Home Office research
Distraction burglaries involve criminals posing as genuine callers – they often claim to be from “the water board” – to gain entry into a person’s home. Once inside, one of the callers distracts the homeowner, while another searches for money and valuable items to steal.
“It’s important that you do not let unexpected callers in to your home,” says DI Oldham. “Ask for identification, close your door while you check this with their employers and if you have any concerns then contact the police.”
A variation of distraction burglary involves criminals posing as reputable tradespeople who offer to undertake repair work on a person’s property. They do the work badly – if at all – and put people under extreme pressure to pay.
• There is a comprehensive guide to ‘Distraction Crime’ Prevention online at: http://www.caredirections.co.uk/frame_comment_102.htm
• Download ‘Your Security’ booklet published by Help the Aged and Age Concern (PDF Format)