Burglary Artifice Warning
06 September 2012
Police at Tower Hamlets are urging members of the public especially elderly members to be extra vigilant when they get people at their door they do not know.
With so many housing blocks on the borough undergoing renovations burglars are out and taking advantage.
“I urge the local community to remain vigilant and question anyone who knocks on their door."
Over the last week there have been five burglaries with the same method being used by the suspects across the Tower Hamlets.
One male dressed in smart clothes attends the address. When he gets a reply he informs the occupant that he works for the water or drainage company and that due to the work on the building he needs to run through some checks with them.
Inside the property he keeps the occupant talking and away from the front door. This is when a second male enters the property and will go through the home searching for things to steal.
It is thought that there is a group of three or four people running the scam. The descriptions of suspects vary from one white male and one black male to two white males.
The suspects are described as a white male, aged about 35 - 40 years old, 5’9ft - 6ft, athletic build with short dark brown hair. He is normally dressed in smart clothes, a dark coloured suit with a dark jumper underneath and an English accent.
The other male is described as a black male aged about 30 - 40 years old, 5ft - 5’5ft. He is said to be shorter than the white male.
The last male, also white is aged between 30 - 40 years, 5’7ft and has a limp when he walks.
DC Alex Wheater, from the Serious and Acquisitive Crime Unit said, “I urge the local community to remain vigilant and question anyone who knocks on their door. Make sure the person shows you their ID and don't be frightened to re check or call the persons employer. If in doubt, do not open the door. If anything suspicious is seen, no matter how small, please contact the police immediately.'
Anyone with information about offences like this can contact us or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111