Blitz to curb distraction burglaries

Jan 13 2006 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

A POLICE taskforce has been launched to combat "cruel" tricksters who con their way into the homes of pensioners and other vulnerable people before ransacking them.

West Mercia Constabulary has launched a Knock Knock campaign to put a stop to thefts known as distraction burglaries where thieves claim they are official workers.

News of the taskforce comes as officers are investigating a distraction burglary in the village of Blakedown, near Kidderminster.

A police spokeswoman said: "The victim, a 76-year-old woman, opened the door to a man claiming to be from the water board.

"She asked to see identification but he walked past her, saying he needed to turn on the tap, and went into the kitchen.

"After the man left the victim noticed her handbag, containing £190, a man's gold wedding ring and a locket, was missing from the sitting room."

PC Phil Green, of Kidderminster Police, said: "Our campaign urges everyone to be on the lookout for unusual or suspicious people and vehicles in their neighbourhood.

"A call to the police could provide vital information to help bring those responsible for these cruel offences to justice."

In the latest incident, which happened at around 2pm on Thursday, January 5, the offender was described as white with a tan, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins tall, slim, with short black hair, a small black moustache and a goatee beard.

He was aged between 35 and 45, wearing a black jacket and dark trousers and spoke with an Irish accent.

Anyone with information can call police on 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.