Distraction Burglars Target Guildford Pensioner

Published on: 13 May, 2013
Updated on: 14 May, 2013

Distraction burglars have targeted a pensioner in Guildford over the weekend and made off with jewellery and a purse.

The incident happened on Saturday (May 11) when the 80-year-old householder was watching the FA Cup final in the living room of his property in the Southway area and heard a knock on the window. He looked up and saw two men who entered the room and told the resident that they wanted to leave a parcel at the location and needed the victim’s details.

The pensioner went to get a paper and pen from the kitchen and was followed by one of the intruders who then wrote down the man’s name and address before taking a blue purse from the table. The victim heard a noise from another room and got up to find that a jewellery box had been opened and some of the contents dropped on the floor of a bedroom.

The two offenders made off on foot in the direction of Park Barn.

The suspects are described as two white men with dark hair. The first suspect is described as being in his thirties, whilst the second suspect is described as being aged between late twenties and early thirties and was wearing a dark hooded top.

PC Gemma Taylor investigating said: “This is a truly shameful crime in which a vulnerable resident, who has previously been a victim of a similar offence, has again been targeted by cowardly criminals. I hope someone who was out and about in the vicinity of this incident will remember seeing suspicious activity and will contact me as soon as possible. I need information now to help officers locate and bring these immoral individuals to justice, so if you have any information please call me.”

Borough Commander Inspector Amy Buffoni said: “I hope residents in the borough will remain vigilant to this latest distraction type ruse and that neighbours will keep an eye out for any vulnerable residents locally. There is information available on the Surrey Police website at http://www.surrey.police.uk/ which provides advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of such crime.”

Anyone who may be able to help Surrey Police with its enquiries is asked to call 101 quoting reference GD/13/3867. Alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.