Extra vigilance needed - bogus official burglary

Police are warning residents in Middleton to be extra vigilant after a bogus official burglary.

At about 11am on Tuesday 9 February 2010, a man called at a house Kenyon Lane and told the 79-year-old man who lived there that he was from the water board.

He told him that he had come to check the water and they went into the kitchen. The man asked the victim to tidy under his sink so he could get to the stop tap.

He then told him he needed to go upstairs. As the victim turned to follow him he saw two other offenders in the living room.

He went to go upstairs, then felt a tug in his back trouser pocket and saw the three men running out the front door.

They had stolen his wallet which contained a quantity of cash. The victim was unhurt, but upset by what happened.

The first offender is described as white, in his early 20s, with a slim build and wearing a woolly hat, and spoke with a West Country accent.

The other two men were also white, in their early 20s, clean shaven with a slim build and wearing dark clothing.

Detective constable Sam Taylor, of Rochdale CID, said: "The victim may have been unharmed in this, but he was left deeply upset by this invasion of his house."

"I would always urge people to ask for some form of identification if they get an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from a company."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police advice for dealing with callers:

• Stop and think before you open the door. If possible, look out of the window or use a door viewer (spy-hole) to check whether you know the caller. 
• If you have a door bar or chain put it on before opening the door. 
• Ask to see an identification card and check it carefully, but ensure you close the door on the caller while doing this. 
• If you have not got a door bar or chain, ask the caller to push their identity card through the letterbox, then check the photograph corresponds to the caller. 
• Call the company concerned to verify the identity of the caller, but do not rely on the number given to you as this may be fake. Look it up yourself in the phone book. 
• Do not open the door until you are happy with the caller's identity. 
• If you still have any doubts, ask them to call back when a family member, friend or neighbour can be present. Genuine callers would never wish to cause distress, and would be happy to call again.