Three pensioners hit by burglars

5:34pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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THREE more pensioners fell victim to distraction burglars across the borough yesterday.

The first crime happened in Hanwell at around 1.50pm, when a man pretending to be from Ealing Council wearing a white shirt and grey trousers, targeted a 74-year-old man.

He knocked on the door and told him he was there to mend his fence, before inviting himself into the house, despite the fact he could not produce any ID when challenged.

He walked through to the back garden leaving the front door open, followed by the victim, who then asked him to leave.

As he walked him to the front door he saw a second man wearing dark clothing standing in the doorway, before they both left the house. The victim does not believe anything was stolen.

An 82-year-old was targeted in Northolt by a man wearing a white shirt and dark trousers at around 5.30pm, who claimed to be from the water board.

He said he was checking to make sure nearby work had not caused contamination in the water, but because he could not show any ID the victim went to the bathroom to fetch a sample, leaving him at the door.

When she came out she found the caller inside he house, and he led her through to the kitchen and told her to empty the cupboard under the sink.

She became suspicious and asked to see ID again, but then saw a second man wearing a dark suit going into her bedroom.

Both refused to leave, insisting on testing the water, until the victim phoned a neighbour who called the police. The victim does not think the pair took anything.

The third incident happened in Southall when two teenagers took money from the home of a 77-year-old woman they had offered to help get into her house because she was struggling with shopping.

Once they had opened the door the boy asked if he could use the toilet. The victim allowed him to, and he and the girl he had been with left. After they had gone the woman realised they had taken cash from the house.

Chris Mullally, a spokesman for Ealing Police, said: "Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for distraction burglary suspects to impersonate official visitors.

"This is the type of crime society hates. The sole aim of the suspect is to gain access to the victim's address by preying on the confidence and trust of society's most vulnerable, the elderly.

"We encourage relatives, friends, neighbours spread our message to the elderly and vulnerable of not letting these people past their front door."

Anyone with information can contact Ealing Police on 0208 810 1212, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.