Hampshire Constabulary

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a distraction burglary in Basingstoke on Friday, April 23.  

Sometime between 8.50pm and 9.10pm an elderly man and woman were at their home in Abbey Road.  

There was a knock at the door and the couple answered to find a woman who claimed she was from Age Concern and there to talk about disability access.  

The woman came into the house and asked to go upstairs to look at the bathroom. She then received a message on her phone and quickly left.  

The couple then noticed that £90 has been taken from a purse and wallet inside the house.  

The woman is described as:  

• White
• Aged between 44 and 45 years old
• 5ft 2ins to 5ft 3ins tall
• Mousey shoulder length hair with a fringe
• Wearing a green waist length jacket, dark trousers and white trainers  

Detective Sergeant Greg Wilcox, of the Basingstoke Priority Crime Unit, said: “This was a despicable incident where an elderly couple have been deliberately targeted.  

“We want to hear from anyone who may have been the victim of a similar incident or saw a woman matching the description in the area on Friday.  

“We have also issued an e-fit image of the offender and would ask anyone who recognises her to contact us as soon as possible.  

“Residents are reminded to always check identification before inviting cold callers into their homes.”

Hampshire Constabulary offers the following Safer Homes advice:   

• Stop – are you expecting anyone to call on you?  Do you know the person at the door?  Don’t be misled by what appear to be genuine reasons for calling on you. 
• Chain – fit a door chain or spy hole so that you can speak to callers or check who they are without opening the door fully. 
• Check – A genuine caller will carry identification and will be happy to wait outside while you check it.  Remember to source your own number for the company they are claiming to be from.

Burglars can make you believe they are genuine callers.  Don't invite them in.  If in doubt, keep them out!