Warning to residents following bogus burglaries

Detectives have issued a warning to elderly residents throughout the Rochdale area after four pensioners were targeted by bogus water board officials.

Shortly before 3pm on Wednesday 19 March 2008, a man knocked on the door of a 77-year-old woman in Birch Court, Heywood.

He claimed he was from the water board and told his victim to turn on the taps while he searched her bedroom and took two diamond rings.

The offender is described as white, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall, in his 30s, with receding fair hair. He was wearing a fawn coloured bomber jacket and blue jeans.

Minutes later an 81-year-old man opened his door in Cliff Street, Smallbridge, to a man claiming he was from the water board who was aged between 30 and 50 and had thinning hair, missing teeth and an Irish accent. He was wearing a striped hooded top.

The pensioner shut the door and nothing was stolen.

Within 15 minutes a man, described exactly as in the previous incident, knocked on the door of an 82-year-old woman in Jack Taylor Court, Smallbridge, and said he was from the water board. Her carer was present and the bogus official left without entering the house.

Later that day at 4.30pm a 74-year-old woman opened the door to a man of the same description, who again was claiming to be from the water board.

He told her to turn on the taps while he stole a wallet, containing a substantial quantity of cash.

Detective Inspector Daryl Chadwick from Rochdale CID said: "People who commit offences like this are devious and can be quite plausible. I would warn elderly residents in the community not to let anyone into their home unless it has been pre-arranged and be particularly careful if people claim to be from the water board and need to enter your house in an emergency.

"A genuine caller would always attend by appointment and carry identification. If you ever have any doubts as to whether a caller is genuine, or you don't feel comfortable with the situation, don't let them in.

"A legitimate caller would not have a problem with this and should be happy for you to contact their employer before letting them into your home."

"This sort of crime is despicable and I would appeal to anyone who can identify the people responsible for this to contact us."

Anyone with any further information on this incident should contact Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Some important safety tips:

- When a stranger knocks on your door, keep it latched at all times. If you do not have a latch ask them to push their identity card through the letterbox.
- Do not let anyone into your house without verifying their identity. Check the name of the company in the phone book, and call the company before letting them in to make sure they are genuine.
- If you have any concerns at all do not let the person in.
- Ask them to call back when a family member, friend or neighbour is there. Genuine callers would never wish to cause distress, and would be happy to call again.
- Finally, look out for your neighbours, and report any suspicious activity to police.