Two elderly residents targeted in distraction burglary

Two elderly residents have been targeted in a distraction burglary in Salisbury.

According to Wiltshire Police, at around 2.45pm on 24th March, a man dressed in a blue BUPA jacket attended the home of two elderly residents in Nursery Road and claimed to be from the water board.

The man explained that they had a leak in the property. While the residents were distracted by the man, a second person entered the address and stole purses and a tin containing money.

The man who called at the door was wearing a BUPA jacket, dark trousers and had dark hair.

A spokesperson from Wiltshire Police said, “We’d like to hear from anyone who may have seen the man in the area around this time.”

The police would also like to remind residents of the following advice:

• Use your door viewer to see who’s there
• if you open the door put the chain on first
• always ask for ID and check it with the company before letting somebody into your home
• use the phone number advertised in the phone book or online, as the number on their identity card could be fake. For a utility company, call the customer service department. Close the door while you do this
• remember that genuine callers won’t mind checks. If you feel at all unsure, schedule a time for the caller to come back when a friend or relative is there
• for pre-planned appointments with utility companies, a password scheme can be set up. If you feel threatened or in danger by the presence of the caller, call 999.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident should call 101 and quote crime reference number 54220030775.