Re-Appeal For Information – Distraction Burglary, Machen

We’re appealing for information following a distraction burglary that occurred at an address on Glan Yr Afon, Machen on Wednesday 30th March 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

At approximately 17.40pm the occupant of the address, an 92 year old woman, answered the door to a man claiming that his ball was in her back garden. Whilst they were in the garden, officers believe a second man entered the property. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

After being distracted for around 10 minutes the man the lady was talking to left in a red car. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The occupant was unharmed but shaken and later realised that a substantial amount of money had been stolen from her home. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The man who called at the address is described as: white, around 20 years old, of slight build with dark short hair and a local accent. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Officers are particularly interested to speak to a man that was seen in the area at the time who was white, 5′ 8″ in height, thin in build, short black hair, wearing a black short sleeved shirt that had a collar. Written across the back of the shirt (around the shoulder area) was the word ‘C I LOOKER’ in silver, chunky writing. The man was also wearing black trousers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log: 375 30/03/16 ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​