Appeal For Information – Distraction Burglary, Rhiwderen

We’re appealing for information following a distraction burglary that took place at an address on Springfield Lane, Rhiwderen on the evening of Friday 23rd September 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

At approximately 6pm, the occupant of the address, a man in his eighties, answered the door to an unknown man who kept him talking about work he could do at the address. At this time, officers believe a second man entered the property from a rear, unlocked door. A third man remained in a vehicle outside. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

After being distracted for around ten minutes the man the victim was talking to left in what we believe was a dark blue saloon car. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The occupant was unharmed but shaken and later realised that an amount of jewellery had been stolen from his home. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The man who called at the address is described as: white, in his thirties, short, fair hair and of medium build. He was wearing a green pullover which had a zig-zag pattern on the front in red and orange. He spoke with a slight Irish accent. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The man who was seen at the rear of the address was wearing a blue flat cap. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log: 187 24/03/16 ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Advice from Gwent Police: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Unfortunately these days not everyone who calls at your door is who they seem to be – so you should always be on your guard. Follow the Three Step Plan: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

1. If in doubt keep them out – It sounds simple, but if you don’t let someone in – they will go away. Don’t let them pressure you into opening the door. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

2. Be prepared. Be in control – Think about what to say to doorstep cold callers in advance. And keep a list of key contact numbers near your phone so you can check out legitimate callers. Ask all other unwanted callers to go away. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

3. Call a neighbour or the police – Contact a local relative or nominated neighbour who can help verify a cold caller. If you think someone is a rogue trader call us on 101. To report a distraction burglar or rogue trader who has taken your money and is still in the area – call 999. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​