Distraction Burglary Witness Appeal and Crime Prevention Information

Please be aware of the following incident.

Police reference 43210133922 30/03/2021 Tweed Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes

At approximately 3pm on Tuesday 30th March  the elderly  victim  was in her kitchen making a cup of tea when there was a knock at her window. A male outside said he was there to look at the guttering. A few days prior to this the victim had received a letter indicating that someone would be coming to fix her gutters so she assumed this was part of the process.
He was allowed in and removed a bottle of cleaning spray from under the sink. When the victim turned around the male was gone as was her handbag which had been in the lounge.

If you saw anything suspicious around this time please call 101 and quote the above reference number.

Although the offence occurred in Bletchley we are asking that you.

  • Please remind all your elderly and vulnerable clients, relatives and neighbours that they should never open the door to a stranger no matter what story they are told.
  • These criminals use the element of surprise to confuse their victims and the advice should be to STOP, THINK and TAKE TIME to consider what they are being told.
  • If it is not a friend/carer/relative or a pre-arranged appointment, they should not open the door. They can shout through the door or letter box or use an intercom if fitted.
  • Even if there is a chain fitted an elderly or vulnerable person can sometimes be persuaded or intimidated into removing the chain.
  • Before going to the front door residents should ensure that their back or side doors and windows are closed to prevent anyone sneaking in unnoticed

I have attached a leaflet which provides information regarding door step crime which you may find useful.

Attachments

Home_office_fighting_doorstep_crime_booklet.pdf – 521.8 KB