Bogus callers working locally and Burglary Hotspot

Essex Police - Protecting & Serving EssexBeware of bogus callers – Colchester woman conned

Be aware of bogus callers – they have tricked their way into a woman’s house in Colchester.  Two men claiming to be from the council knocked on the door of a property in Rochdale Way, Greensted, at around 7pm on Saturday, May 17 asking to check the water pipes.  A woman who lives in the property was alone and allowed them in. Whilst in the premises they went upstairs and stole some jewellery.

Descriptions:

The two men had Irish accents and were both described as white.

Man 1:
  • Aged around 30 to 40
  • Short greying hair under a blue baseball cap.
  • Unshaven greying beard.
Man 2:
  • Thin
  • In his 20s
  • Short dark hair

Anybody with any information about this incident or who may have seen anybody acting suspiciously in the area is asked to contact Colchester CID on Essex Police 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Follow Essex Police advice to stay safe:

  • Don’t be frightened to ask for identification and always check it carefully. If you’re not sure, ask them to come back another day.
  • Think about installing a door chain and use it. Keep the door on the chain until you’ve seen identification.
  • If you need your glasses to read the identification, close the door before going to find them. Don’t leave the door open and unattended.
  • Remember to lock the back door before opening the front.
  • Don’t be pressured into letting someone into your home if you have suspicions.
  • Don’t keep large amounts of cash in the house.
  • Don’t believe scare stories. Not all callers are genuine.

For more information on staying safe, go to the Essex Police Be Safe pages on www.essex.police.uk.

Burglary Hotspot May 2014Burglary Hotspot

As a related topic, for the first time since we started receiving neighbourhood crime updates a part of West Bergholt has been identified as a ‘burglary hotspot’ – this is as part of an operation intended to reduce burglary by identifying and then concentrating on areas which, following incidents of crime, are currently considered ‘burglary hotspots,’ these areas will change in response to crime trends.

It is hoped that Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators and members, as well as other members of our local communities can assist the police by keeping vigilant, and through reporting any suspicious activity, which could relate to burglaries. To report non-emergency incidents, or to give non-emergency information, please telephone 101, and, as always, dial 999 in an emergency.

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