Distraction burglars

two men pose as water board officials....

Police are appealing for the public to be aware of two men who are posing as water board officials to carry out distraction burglaries across the borough.

They target the elderly and vulnerable members of the community and gain access to their homes by claiming they have come to fix a serious water leak or plumbing problem.

The latest incident was in Swaby Road, Wandsworth on Wednesday 9 August at approx 1250 hours. An elderly couple were unloading their shopping bags when they were approached by a man purporting to be with the water board who claimed he had come to fix a water leak.

Another man soon joined him and they entered the house with the victims. One suspect kept them distracted in the kitchen, while his colleague walked into their bedroom and stole £45.

Suspects are described as:
1) A white man, 6’1” tall, approx 45 years old and wore light top and trousers.
2) A Man, 5’10”, approx 35-years-old, wearing a stripy grey smart shirt with pen in top pocket.
• One had combed back brown hair and the other had spiky ginger hair.

There were two further incidents on Thursday 3 August, 2006

Detective sergeant Neil Philpott, said:

“We are actively investigating this spate of burglaries and developing a list of possible suspects. This is a callous crime and often leaves victims feeling afraid or embarrassed, and I ask for the general community to keep a look out for people in their area who claim to work for service agencies and inform police of their details.

“These criminals act quickly and often work in groups, so one can distract the victim while their accomplices search the house for money. Authentic employees from the water board or Britsh Gas will never act this way, so remember to keep the door shut to bogus callers.”

August 10, 2006