Police have offered residents advice to avoid becoming the victim of distraction burglaries after an incident in the town earlier this month.
At around 5.45pm on Monday, May 17 an 89-year-old woman was at her home in Quantock Close when she heard the door bell and opted not to answer it. The bell continued to ring and the person started to knock but when the homeowner answered nobody was there. When she turned around and went to her kitchen she saw a man in the house who claimed to be a police officer and showed her some ID without a photograph on it.
A second men then came in through the back door claiming they needed to check the property. The woman tried to leave her house but the pair would not let her. She then shouted for help and both men left. After checking her handbag the victim discovered between £100 and £100 was missing.
The first man is described as white, tall, in his late 30s or early 40s, slim build wearing a cap and white jumper or shirt. The second is described as white, in his early 40s, around 5ft 5ins tall, medium build wearing dark clothing.
PC Claire Ingleby, of the Basingstoke Priority Crime Unit, said: “During this incident an elderly and vulnerable member of the community has been targeted. This kind of behaviour is absolutely disgraceful and these men are the lowest of the low.
“We want anyone who can help us to call us and stop these men committing any more of these despicable crimes. Our message to these cowardly criminals is to imagine how they would feel if this had happened to their parents or grandparents.
“Please be aware that a genuine police officer always carries a warrant card to identify themselves, with a colour photograph of the officer, the Hampshire Constabulary Crest and the officer’s identification number. If you wish to verify the visit, please call 101.
“Any resident who is suspicious of any caller should check the identification and refuse entry to their home until they are satisfied the caller is genuine. If you have any suspicion that the caller is not who they say they are, call the police immediately.”
Anyone with information can contact PC Ingleby at Basingstoke police station on 101 or by calling the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.
