Elderly targeted by distraction thieves in Shrewsbury and Telford
Elderly residents in homes in Shrewsbury and Telford have been targeted in a series of distraction burglaries.
West Mercia police are urging elderly people to be vigilant after two separate attacks took place across the county this week, where offenders claimed to be from the water board.
The first burglary happened in Sundorne Crescent, Shrewsbury, between 1.15pm and 1.45pm when a woman in her 90s opened the door to a man who said he needed to check the boiler.
It is believed that while he kept the victim distracted in the kitchen, a second man searched upstairs, although it is not thought anything was stolen.
The man who knocked on the door was white, in his 30s, about 5ft in height, very thick set in build, with a round face, and wearing a navy blue boiler suit and dark thick gloves.
The second crime happened in High Street, Wellington, Telford, at around 3pm when three offenders went into the home of a man in his 60s.
They carried out a search but left when he became suspicious and went to call the police. Again it is not thought anything was stolen.
Tracksuit
The men were all white and aged 30 to 35. The first man was 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins tall, of slim build, with short brown hair, and wearing a grey peaked cap, grey tracksuit top and blue jeans.
The second man was 5ft 10ins tall, of chubby build, with very short crew cut brown hair, and wearing a blue tracksuit top and blue tracksuit bottoms with dark coloured gloves.
The third offender was 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins tall, of skinny build, and wearing a grey hooded top.
Superintendent Kevin Purcell of West Mercia Police said: "Distraction burglaries are a particularly heartless crime, given that the victims are usually elderly and vulnerable.
"Although on this occasion, they were only successful in stealing money from one of the homes they targeted, victims are often very distressed by these incidents and may lose their trust and independence as a result.
"Distraction burglaries are taken very seriously by the police, and catching these offenders and taking them off our streets are a top priority for us.
"We are liaising with neighbouring forces, sharing information and intelligence, and our patrols are patrolling main routes throughout the area."
Witnesses or anyone with information about any crime should contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Always ring 999 if a crime is in progress.
For information about preventing distraction burglaries visit www.westmercia.police.uk
