Police in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have this week urged local people – especially the elderly – to be on their guard following a distraction burglary in the town.
The incident took place in Trowbridge Close, Highbridge at about 6.30pm on Monday night (February 19th) when two men called to a property to say that a neighbour had suffered a burst boiler and they wanted to check her property for any potential problems.
“They then prevented the woman from making a phone call and kept her talking in the kitchen, while one of the men ransacked her bedroom and took a quantity of money,” a police spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“The victim – who is partially-sighted – wasn’t able to provide the police with any descriptions.”
.POLICE ADVICE ON HOW TO BEAT DISTRACTION BURGLARS:
“The first step is to look at the caller through a window or a door viewer. Only after you have done this should you consider opening the door, using a chain, to ask about the nature of their call. People such as water board officials, council workers and police officers will all carry identification cards,” said the spokesman.
“If you see an identification card but you are still not entirely satisfied about the caller’s identity, ask them to wait outside while you make a phone call to the relevant organisation. Any genuine callers will not mind waiting outside for a few moments while a telephone call is made to verify their credentials.”
“By following this simple advice, people can avoid inviting offenders into their homes and can prevent themselves from becoming victims of this particularly distressing form of crime.”
