'Despicable' burglary gang 'targeting elderly victims for cash and jewellery'

Appeal: Police have released CCTV images of four men they would like to speak to
Met Police
Jamie Bullen18 October 2016
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A “despicable” gang posed as council workers to dupe elderly residents in distraction burglaries for cash and expensive jewellery, police said.

Detectives in Hammersmith today released CCTV images of four men they want to identify after three burglaries were reported in just over 24 hours.

In each of the incidents, a man knocked on doors pretending to be from the council before cash was stolen from homes while elderly residents were distracted.

The first burglary took place on Du Cane Road, Shepherd’s Bush at about 12.50pm last Tuesday when a man told the occupants he needed to stop the water to the flat.

CCTV: The men were captured on camera at one of the addresses
Met Police

The couple, in their 80s, caught another man coming down their stairs and later found a spare room had been searched and £40 in cash was stolen.

The first man is described as being white, in his mid-20s, of slim build and clean shaven with short black hair. He was wearing a blue shirt, dark trousers and possibly brown shoes.

The second man is also described as white, in his 30s, with short facial hair and rimless glasses. He was wearing a dark grey bomber jacket.

Hours later another elderly couple were targeted in Linacre Court, Hammersmith, when they opened their door to a man who said he was worried about flooding upstairs.

Raids: Three burglaries were reported in just over 24 hours
Met Police

He went into the kitchen with the husband and fiddled under the sink before asking the wife to come into the kitchen to listen.

The victims did not see anyone else, but realised when the suspect left after 10 minutes that £100 in cash and £80 in travellers cheques had been swiped from a bedroom.

The man is described as in his late 20s to early 30s, of stocky build with short blond hair. He was wearing a faded blue striped shirt and beige trousers.

CCTV footage showed four men going into the block and leaving between 3pm and 3.15pm.

A third raid took place in Riverside Gardens, Hammersmith, at about 4.45pm on Thursday, 12 October.

An elderly couple again opened the door to a man, posed as a council worker, who said he was worried about flooding.

The victims later found £530 in cash, three rings with diamonds and sapphires - with a combined value of more than £4,000 - and five gold bangles had been taken from a handbag.

Targeted: Elderly couples were targeted in the raids
Met Police

The man is described as white, of medium build, with wavy blond or brown hair. He was clean shaven and was wearing a navy blue or black anorak with a red lining and grey trousers.

Detective Constable Davidson, from Hammersmith CID, said: "The borough has seen a number of distraction burglaries recently involving elderly residents.

“This is a despicable crime where people pose as workers from places such as utility companies or the council.

“They gain the trust of elderly residents and invite themselves in to carry out ‘essential maintenance work’ like fixing a leak from upstairs or burst pipes.

“One person distracts the occupants while others steal items from the house, often money and jewellery.

"I would ask that people be extra vigilant and check the ID of anyone who is unknown to them who comes to their door.

“Please keep an eye out for vulnerable persons within your community and help to keep them safe."

Anyone who recognises the people in the CCTV or anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

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