Three houses in one Northampton street targeted by women pretending to be healthcare professionals

The incidents happened between 3.30pm and 4.40pm on Thursday October 2, in Gloucester Avenue.

Police say two females claiming to be healthcare professionals targeted three homes of vulnerable residents in distraction burglaries.

The offenders gained access to the two of the three addresses and once inside one of the houses, one female pretended to use the toilet but instead stole cash and a wedding ring from other rooms in the house of a woman in her 90s.

A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: “This has prompted the Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team to issue crime prevention advice to raise awareness of this distraction tactic and are also encouraging residents to share it with their elderly and vulnerable neighbours and relatives.”

Witnesses or anyone with information, including CCTV, doorbell, or dash-cam footage, which could help with the investigations into these incidents should call Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting incident number: 25000577568.

Information can also be submitted online at Report | Northamptonshire Police and Giving information | Crimestoppers.

Police have issued the below advice:

Distraction burglars pretend to be someone they are not to gain entry to your home.

Common methods used by distraction burglars include:

• Pretending to be from a care agency, the council or a utility company investigating a gas or water leak • Seeking help to leave a note for a neighbour or even asking for a drink of water if they claim to be thirsty or unwell • Claiming to be in a hurry or emergency and needing to get into your home quickly • Working in teams, with one person distracting you while the other searches your home

The key to preventing a distraction burglary is to keep the front door closed and locked. Once the door is opened, the barrier to keeping them out has gone!

• There’s no need to open the door to unexpected callers – it’s OK to send them away • Find other ways to speak to callers – through a window or even the letterbox • Don’t bother to check ID cards – they will be fake if the caller is not who they say they are • Display a ‘No Cold Calling Home’ sticker • Set up passwords with utility companies so you know if they are genuine when they call • Keep the outside of your property well maintained • Don’t keep large amounts of cash at home • Use a lifeline pendant alarm to call for assistance • If you have a Wi-Fi connection at home, you may like to consider installing a Ring CCTV doorbell at their front door. When activated, the alert can be received on a family member or friend’s mobile phone who can then talk to the caller directly and raise the alarm if necessary.

IF YOU’RE NOT SURE, DON’T OPEN THE DOOR.