Police warning after three distraction burglaries

The three incidents in Speen Lane, Newbury, Maple Crescent, Newbury, and Barfield Road, Thatcham, are being linked.

‘NOT sure? Don't open the door' is the message from police after three distraction burglaries took place in West Berkshire yesterday morning (Monday).

The first incident occurred at a property in Speen Lane, Newbury, at about 7.10am when a man knocked on the door and told the occupant that his daughter had broken a pane of glass and offered to fix, clean windows or work as a reimbursement.

An hour later two men went to a house in Maple Crescent, Newbury, and told the occupant that her window has been broken with a catapult.

It was later found that a purse and wallet had been taken out of her bag.

At about 8.40am, a man in his eighties was approached in the street by a man, who told him he was needed back at home. The offender went into the victim's property in Barfield Road and while inside stole a wallet.

The offender in all three of the offences is described as white, clean shaven, in early twenties, with short hair and he was dressed smartly.

The second man, seen by the victim in Maple Crescent, is described as white, older than the first offender, possibly in his fifties and clean shaven.

If you have any information which could assist the police with their enquiries please ring 0845 8 505 505 or you can ring CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.