Press releases

Don't be duped – use the doorstep code

Police have urged householders not to be duped by opportunist thieves who masquerade as water board officials and plumbers to gain access to homes.

Some even wear colour co-ordinated clothing and in the latest distraction burglary one of the offenders even wore what appeared to be a small badge on his jacket.

But police are urging householders to follow the doorstep code to help combat the distraction burglars. Police have issued the advice following three distraction burglaries in the West Somerset area.

In the first incident on Monday February 19 at about 5.05pm in Wood Street, Taunton, a man called at the home of an 86-year-old woman saying he was from a nearby building site, where a burst water pipe had been discovered. He said that the water would be turned off and she needed to fill containers with water – he was let into the kitchen, where he turned a tap on.

At that point a neighbour called to the home to report seeing a man in the woman's home. The man then left the property but it is believed there was a second man in the property.

In the second incident at about 5.15pm a man called to the home of a 79-year-old woman in Shovel Lane, North Petherton, asking whether she heard "an explosion next door." He said he was working in the house when the boiler exploded and he needed to check the woman's water system. He told her to fill containers with water.

The woman then became concerned and asked for the man's ID. He said he would get it from his car but did not return.

While the man was with the woman it is thought a second man may have searched a bedroom upstairs but nothing was taken.

In the third incident in Trowbridge Close, Highbridge at about 6.15pm a man called to the home of an 85-year-old woman. She placed the chain on the door to talk with him. He said her neighbour's boiler had blown up and he needed to turn her water off. The woman let the man in and he went into the kitchen and turned the cold water tap on, telling the victim to remove items from under the sink.

The woman became suspicious and asked to phone her neighbour, the offender standing in the doorway, preventing her from using the phone. After about 10-15 minutes the man reported that the water would be off for a few days and left the property.

The victim then noticed a second man walk from her hallway and later discovered that someone had searched her bedroom and a quantity of cash had been taken.

Police believe that all three incidents could be connected and have warned people – especially the elderly and vulnerable – to be on their guard and follow the Doorstep Code, particularly when dealing with unexpected callers.

You should look through a window or door viewer to see who is at the door first. Then consider opening the door on a chain.

Genuine callers will carry identification cards, and will not mind waiting outside whilst a phone call is made to verify their credentials.

You should only let people into your home if you are completely satisfied concerning their identity.

People are also being urged to keep an eye out on elderly and vulnerable neighbours, friends and relatives

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