Elderly people targeted in distraction burglaries

Two incidents happened in South Cambridgeshire. The first in Butts Green, Whittlesford, at 10am on Tuesday (June 19).

A man knocked at the home of an elderly couple asking for a pen and paper and while they searched for a piece of paper the man left. The couple later noticed two handbags were missing and money had been stolen.

The man is described as white, between 16 and 20, 5’11” and was wearing blue bottoms with a white stripe, a white tracksuit top and white trainers.

A second incident happened shortly after 10am in Fincham’s Close, Linton, on Tuesday.

An elderly man opened the door to a man claiming there had been an explosion and water needed to be flushed in his pipes. The victim let him into his house but was suspicious. When he threatened to call the police the man left and nothing was stolen.

And in the latest incident three men tried to distract an elderly woman at her home in Littleport in East Cambridgeshire.

The men, claiming to be from the ‘gas board’, called at her home in Upton Place, at 7.50pm last night (Wednesday).

They asked to turn the gas off as there was a problem in the area, one of the men went through to the kitchen while the other two stood outside. Nothing was stolen.

The men left in the direction of Parsons Road when neighbours chased the men off.

The first man is described as white, about six foot and slim. He had black hair and was wearing a blue shirt.

The second man was white, about 5’6”, with brown hair and was wearing a brown suit.

The third man is described as white and smartly dressed.

Detective Inspector Ian Simmons, who is investigating, said: “All of these offences are targeting vulnerable people and are despicable crimes.

“I would urge the community to look out for their elderly neighbours, be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.”

Anyone with information should contact DI Simmons on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.