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Men posing as water board officials steal cash and jewellery
06/06/2023
Four separate incidents are believed to be linked
Two men posing as representatives for a water company are believed to have undertaken a number of distraction burglaries in West and North Oxfordshire in the past few days, including at a property in Bodicote yesterday (Monday).
Three other offences were committed on Friday – two in Charlbury and one in Fulbrook, near Burford.
Detectives are treating all four incidents as linked.
On each occasion, two men approached the rear of victims’ properties, claiming that they were there on behalf of local water boards. They used this tactic to gain entry to the properties, where they stole cash and jewellery.
The offence in Bodicote yesterday happened at around 4.30pm.
The offenders were seen in a silver or grey saloon vehicle and have been described as wearing facemasks and hats during all offences.
Detective Sergeant Steve Bates of the Priority Crime Team, based at Witney police station, said: “This is a series of incidents, which, given the tactics displayed by the offenders, are all being linked.
“I am urging people in north and west Oxfordshire to be vigilant and challenge anybody coming to your property purporting to be from any company.
“You should ask for proof of ID, as if they are genuine, they will carry some form of identification as to the company they work for and who they are, and they would have no issues in showing you this.
“If you are suspicious, please do not let them in and call us on 101 or 999 if you feel there is a crime in action.
“I would also like to appeal to anybody who has any information in relation to any of these incidents, or have experienced something similar in recent days, to please contact us either via our website or via 101, quoting reference number 43230241045.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam