Friends help out after water-company scam on OAP

Police urged vigilance as they appealed for witnesses following the deception burglary at Kinver Lane, Pebsham.

Last Thursday at about 11.50am a man called at the elderly woman's home, claiming to be from the water board and saying he needed to turn on a tap in order to remove an air-lock.

The occupant let the man into her home. Later when she went to her purse she found that her money had gone.

Detective Constable Roy Stephenson said: "The back door was still open when a man appeared and said he wanted to check the water supply for air pockets.

"The victim was distracted to the kitchen sink when she was asked to turn the water on.

"The victim complied with this request and then went sit to down in the same room. The offender spoke to the victim regarding an accident on the M25 which was on the TV and asked her to turn the volume up so that he could hear what was going on.

"During this period when the victim was absorbed with the TV it is believed that either the same offender or an accomplice has entered the front living room area and stole an amount of money from the victims purse and from a vase in the same room.

"The offender (and possibly his accomplice) then left the house and were last seen in the garage areas of the rear of Kinver lane possibly in the direction of the alleyway that leads to Wannock Close."

DC Stephenson is appealing for any witnesses who may have seen two white men aged about 25 acting suspiciously in the area last Thursday to contact him at Bexhill police station on 0845 6070999 quoting serial 663 of May 3 or use the free and confidential Crimestoppers 0800 555111 number.

"The offender that the victim saw was about 5ft 5ins to 5ft 8ins, short mousy hair, wearing a blue zip-up jacket.

"A second person who was seen by another witness acting suspiciously at the rear of Kinver lane running in the direction of Thakeham Close was tanned with a bald head, wearing a blue and white striped top.

"There is a possibility that either a red van or a blue vauxhall vectra/astra could be linked to these offenders as both vehicles were seen near to the area the relevant time.

"This crime is cowardly and the impact on the lives of the victims is not considered at all by the offenders, often the offenders will steal items of jewellery that have great sentimental value to the victim (loss of a partners or family members ring) which is sold for a paltry amount.

"This is the third burglary in Bexhill this year that I have investigated involving 'bogus waterboard officials'.

"The descriptions of the offenders in each case are various but it is possible that all are connected to each other as often one or more of the offenders are never seen by the victim.

"In terms of victim security, I would reiterate that any genuine waterboard official would welcome a request to see ID which all of them have and phone the company if there are any doubts as to the person claiming to be from the waterboard. If there are any doubts at all regarding a caller at your door, do not let them in!

"With regards to personal effects that are valued but rarely used, hide them in an area known only to you and share this information with only the people that need to know like next of kin,and son's and daughters.

"With regard to money, split the amount and place in known areas to you."

Neighbours have clubbed together and raised enough money to compensate the popular pensioner for the stolen cash.