Police are releasing efit images of two men they would like to speak to in connection with an incident at a flat in East Lodge Park, Portsmouth.
At 5.30pm on Friday, January 2, an 86-year-old woman was returning home to her residential block and as she went in the front door of the building was followed inside by a tall man.
The woman went into her flat, and the tall man continued up the stairs.
Just as the woman got inside her flat there was a knock at the door. A shorter man was there and said he was from the council and needed to check the water supply.
He followed the woman into her property and ran the taps in the kitchen, before asking her to go and do the same in the bathroom, which the woman did.
The man left shortly afterwards, and was seen to leave the building with the tall man who had entered earlier. The woman realised that some of her belongings had been moved around whilst she had been in the bathroom, though nothing appeared to have been taken.
The man who said he was from the council is described as:
- White
- Aged between 30 and 40 years old
- 5ft 4ins tall or slightly shorter
- Stocky build
- Dark curly hair
- Fresh faced
- Wearing a navy blue, knee length, waterproof jacket, and navy blue trousers
The tall man is described as:
- White
- Aged between 30 and 40 years old
- Slim build
- Wearing a waist length jacket and an old fashioned flat cap, which was a neutral colour
Detective Constable Jon Smithers said, “It is fortunate that the woman involved was not injured and nothing was stolen during this incident, however we are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything, or who recognises these efit images to contact us. This woman appears to have been targeted due to her perceived vulnerability and we need to identify these men as soon as possible.”
Officers are investigating whether or not this incident may be linked to a similar occurrence which took place at around 5.15pm on Saturday, January 3, where two men claiming to be from the water board visited a property in Stamshaw Road, and whilst one of them was inside the house £500 was stolen.
Can you help?
Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Jon Smithers at Fratton police station on 0845 045 45 45 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000.
