Bogus officials target woman (From Warrington Guardian)

Bogus officials target woman

DISTRACTION burglars managed to con an 85-year-old pensioner into letting them into her bungalow before making off with her jewellery and cash.

The elderly woman was at her home in Burland Grove when a man posing as a water board official asked to enter her kitchen, claiming that there was water contamination in the area.

He told the pensioner that the water was so bad that two people had been taken to hospital, before asking to check the bathroom and turning the taps on there.

While this happened, another man entered the house through the back door and searched for valuables. He took a bottle of whisky, jewellery and a substantial amount of money while the other man spoke to the pensioner, before eventually leaving the house.

Detectives investigating the incident have released descriptions of the two offenders. The first man is white, 40 to 45 years old, 5ft 10in, of stocky build and spoke with an Irish accent.

He wore a dark bobble hat, a dark fleece jacket and black woollen gloves. Meanwhile, the second offender is described as white, 36 to 39 years, 5ft 4in, with short brown hair.

He was wearing a faun-coloured jacket and spoke with a local accent.

Det Sgt Keith Beresford, from Cheshire Police, said: "If strangers call and claim to be from a water or gas company, then people should request their identification. If they are not fully satisfied then contact the police straight away on 01606 48000."

Anyone who has information about the Burland Grove incident should call police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.