Burglary alert - Thames Valley Police
| John Cregan |
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Tue 6 Jun 2023, 13:57 Thames Valley Police is investigating a series of distraction burglaries, which detectives are treating as linked incidents. The offences have all occurred between Friday (1/6) and yesterday (6/6), two in Charlbury, one in Fulbrook, near Burford, and a fourth offence in Bodicote, near Banbury. The first three offences all occurred on Friday (1/6). Two of these took place in Charlbury between 6.15pm and 6.35pm, with an earlier incident being reported in Fulbrook at around 5.45pm. On each occasion, two male offenders have approached the rear of victims’ properties, claiming that they were there on behalf of local water boards. The offenders have used this tactic to gain entry to the properties and have then gone on to steal cash and jewellery. A fourth offence was reported in Bodicote, near Banbury, yesterday (5/6) at around 4.30pm. The offenders used the same tactics as the earlier offences and were seen in a silver or grey saloon vehicle. The two male offenders 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.” Message Sent By Kieren Bushnell (Police, Media Officer, Thames Valley) |