Please be aware that Police yesterday received two reports of ‘bogus official’ or ‘Distraction’ type burglary in the Oswaldtwistle and Church areas.
Bogus Official burglaries involve the offender posing as a legitimate workman or a representative of an organisation or service-provider such as; United Utilities, Telecom, Council, with the intention of gaining admittance to your home to steal your property.
In relation to the two offences reported yesterday, the offender posed as a United Utilities official at one and a Virgin Media official at the other.
One offender is described as a man aged between 30 and 40 years, wearing dark clothing and a dark-coloured ‘bob’ hat.
If in doubt, DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR.
Please warn any elderly neighbours, friends or family of the risk to opening the door to strangers.
Report anything you feel is suspicious to the Police immediately.
ADVICE:
Bogus Official burglaries involve the offender posing as a legitimate workman or a representative of an organisation or service-provider such as; United Utilities, Telecom, Council, with the intention of gaining admittance to your home to steal your property.
In relation to the two offences reported yesterday, the offender posed as a United Utilities official at one and a Virgin Media official at the other.
One offender is described as a man aged between 30 and 40 years, wearing dark clothing and a dark-coloured ‘bob’ hat.
If in doubt, DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR.
Please warn any elderly neighbours, friends or family of the risk to opening the door to strangers.
Report anything you feel is suspicious to the Police immediately.
ADVICE:
- Bogus callers may be smartly dressed and claim to be from the council, the police, health organisations or gas, water or electricity companies.
- They may be dealers offering to buy your jewellery, antiques or furniture at what seems to be a good price but could actually be a lot less than the item is worth.
- They may be workmen trying to persuade you that you need urgent repairs doing to your home.
- You also need to be careful of callers offering to make building repairs or to tarmac your drive.
- Sometimes they can ask for money in advance or even overcharge you.
- Beware of callers who attempt to distract you by claiming they have seen something untoward in another room or outside, which may encourage you to leave the room.
- Fitting, and using, a door chain or spy hole to the front door will help you to check who the caller is before opening and if they cannot produce an official identity card then do not let them in. You can even ring the company they say they are from to confirm their identity.
- A genuine caller will not mind you closing the door for two minutes while you check their ID and most will be happy to make an appointment and return at a later date or time
- Remember, they can only get in if you let them in!
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