Gang of men force their way in elderly couple's home in '˜terrifying burglary ordeal'

Five men forced their way into the home of an elderly couple in an attempted distraction burglary in a Cambridgeshire village.
Police and crime news from the Peterborough Telegraph - peterboroughtoday.co.uk, @peterboroughtel on Twitter, Facebook.com/peterboroughtodayPolice and crime news from the Peterborough Telegraph - peterboroughtoday.co.uk, @peterboroughtel on Twitter, Facebook.com/peterboroughtoday
Police and crime news from the Peterborough Telegraph - peterboroughtoday.co.uk, @peterboroughtel on Twitter, Facebook.com/peterboroughtoday

On Thursday last week (March 10) at about 10.15pm a man knocked on the door of a property in Silver Street, Buckden. When an elderly couple answered the door the man said there was a problem with the water and he needed to run the taps in the property.

The couple, who are both in their 80s, became suspicious of the man and questioned him. Five men then pushed their way into the property and began searching for valuables.

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The occupants of the house called the police and the men left the property empty-handed.

Detective Constable Stuart Miller said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victims and we’re appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

“Distraction burglary is a despicable crime which can be carried out in a variety of ways and often on elderly and vulnerable victims.

“There are a number of precautions people can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

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“It is also important that people remain vigilant to activity in their neighbourhood, particularly in areas with vulnerable or elderly residents.”

To reduce the risk of becoming the victim of a distraction burglar, always remember:

LOCK - Is your back door locked? If not, lock it before you answer the front door as distraction burglars often work in pairs - one distracts, while the other steals

STOP - Are you expecting anybody?

CHAIN - Put this on before you open the door. If you have not got one, it is a worthwhile investment. It will give you that extra ‘safe space’ and barrier between you and the caller and then,

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CHECK - Ask for their identification card, take it and look at it carefully. Close the door and check the number in the phone book - not the number on the card. If they are genuine they will not mind waiting or coming back another day.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact police on 101, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or visit https://crimestoppers-uk.org/