Distraction Burglaries (from OHRA)
Police are reminding residents not to let strangers into their homes.A further distraction burglary took place on Ealing Borough yesterday [30/04/08].This brings the total number of offences to four (4) since last Friday [25/04/08]At approximately 1700hrs, a white male, approx 30 – 35yrs, 5’ 11”, fair hair, stocky build, wearing a grey jumper knocked on the door of an elderly female in Penifather Lane, Greenford and asked for a pen and paper to leave a message for a neighbour.The victim left the suspect at the front door whilst she went to get the pen and paper. Upon her return she found the suspect standing in her living room.The suspect took the pen and paper, stated he would write the note outside and would post the pen and paper back through the letterbox. The suspect left and did not return. A short time later the victim realised her purse and contents were missing from the living room.On Friday 25th April, an elderly female in Northolt had her handbag stolen by young mixed race female in her early twenties who had called to her door asking for a glass of water whilst she waited for a relative to attend the area.On Saturday 26th, an elderly male in Hanwell had a quantity of money and jewellery stolen after a white male in his 40’s and young boy knocked on the his front door and asked for a pen and paper to leave a message for a neighbour.On Sunday 27th an elderly female in Hanwell had a quantity of money stolen by a young white female dressed in an oversized black jumper when she called to the address stating she needed help to write a letter to a neighbour.Ealing Borough Police spokesperson states:“Distraction burglaries can have an immense impact on victims, often leaving them feeling vulnerable in their own home. The sole aim of distraction burglary suspect is to gain access to the victim's address by preying on the confidence and trust of society’s most vulnerable, the elderly. I would like to encourage relatives, friends, neighbours and associates to make contact with the elderly and vulnerable to reiterate our message of not letting these people past their front door.Encourage them to treat every stranger with caution. Inform them that they have the right to keep strangers out of their homes. Inform them that it is not rude or unfriendly if they choose not to help. If they think a bogus caller has called at their door, report it to the police immediately and tell a neighbour, a friend or someone nearby what has happened, just in case they try at other homes in the area.Finally we would appeal to anyone who may recogonise the suspects or has any information, which could help with our investigations to contact their local Safer Neighbourhood Team or Ealing Borough Police on 020-8810-1212 or alternatively Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.Any resident or Elderly Working Group who feels that they require some further information on crime preventative measures to combat this sort of crime can contact their local Safer Neighbourhood TeamOr our Crime Prevention Officer Pc Mike Bilenkyj on 0208 246 9444 Or logging onto the Ealing Borough Police website - Ealing Borough PoliceNotesNortholt Suspect• Mixed race female, 20- 25yrs, 5’ 08”, slim build, dark brown collar length hair, English accent and dark clothing.Hanwell Suspects• White male, 40-45yrs, 5’ 09”, medium build, cropped mousy hair who was wearing a yellow and green patterned jumper• White male, 8-10yrs, short black hair, who was wearing dark clothing and white trainersHanwell Suspect• White female, 15-19yrs, 5’ 06”, straight black shoulder length hair, medium build who was wearing an oversized black jumper with long sleeves.-Ends-
Peter Wright ● 6726d2 Comments