Police in Norwich are warning residents to be vigilant after a recent distraction burglary and an attempted distraction burglary.

Both incidents happened between 1pm and 2pm on Friday 25 July.

The warning comes as a man pretending to be checking smoke alarms was invited into a property on Douglas Haig Road.  When asking the female victim to hold a tape measure the offender stole £70 from a purse.

In the second incident on Victoria Street a man again pretended to be fitting smoke alarms and asked the resident to hold a tape measure in the lounge while he went to measure the bedrooms.  The man then said it was near to his lunch break and left.  It is believed nothing was stolen.

Sergeant Jon Beales from Earlham, Larkman and Marlpit Safer Neighbourhood Team said “I would urge people to remain vigilant when they receive a knock on their door.  Bogus callers are men or women or make up stories to gain access to a person’s home to steal.  They often prey on the vulnerable such as the elderly.

“If you do decide to open the door to someone, ensure that you ask for identification and certainly think twice before inviting anyone into your house.  A genuine caller should not mind you checking.”

“We are linking the two crimes and would urge anyone with information to contact police.”

Police would also give the following advice:

• Close and lock the back door before answering the front door
• Use a spy hole or window to look at the caller before answering the door.
• Elderly householders should be on their guard and members of the public who have an elderly or vulnerable neighbour or relative should be vigilant.
• Always ask for identification from any unexpected callers and do not let anyone in if you are not comfortable with who they are.
• Phone the company or organization the caller claims to be from while the caller waits outside.
• Tell someone you trust about uninvited callers to your home.
• If necessary, report it to police with a description of the people involved and details of their vehicles if possible.

Anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity or suspect a bogus caller should contact police on 0845 4564567 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.