Police Link Series Of Distraction Robberies

OFFICERS are linking 19 robberies and burglaries in South Cambridgeshire since November 4, 2007, where elderly victims have been targeted.
Similar incidents have been happening across the region in Hertfordshire, Essex and Bedfordshire.
The two latest incidents happened in Hildersham and Fulbourn last night, (Monday, January 14).
The first incident happened at around 7.20pm at an address on Fromont Close, Fulbourn.
Three men entered the house saying they were police officers. They then searched the property and left with an amount of money.
The second incident happened at about 7.50pm at an address in Meadowlands, Hildersham.
Two men claiming to be police officers entered the house and stole an amount of money and three shotguns.
The first man is described as around 38-years-old, 5'6" tall with a stocky build and dark brown short hair. He had a round reddish face with stubble and was wearing a dark blue baseball cap.
The second man is described as around 45-years-old, 5'6" tall with a stocky build and stubble on his face. He was wearing a duffle coat with dark trousers and a hat.
Detective Inspector Alan Page said: "These offenders are not dressed like plain clothes police officers they are wearing baseball caps and duffle
coats. In all most all occasions when house to house enquires are being
carried out following a burglary or robbery the officers will be in uniform.
"I suspect that as the elderly have started to close the door on people claiming to be from the waterboard the offenders have now switched to claiming to be police. They are using this ruse to trick people into showing them where there valuables are kept.
"These are despicable crimes and I would appeal to the community to report anything suspicious they may see. I suspect that the offenders are riding around looking for addresses to target so if you see a vehicle not local to the area riding around with multiple male occupants in an area where the
elderly live phone the police control room saying you have a suspicious incident that relates to Op Promenade. An officer will be dispatched to check these people out."
People in the area are being are advised to keep doors and windows locked and to call 999 if you discover someone in your home claiming to be a police officer.
Anyone with any information can contact DI Page at Parkside Police Station on 0845 456 456 4 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Added on Wednesday 16th of January 2008 at 09:30:37 AM
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