Burglar steals £140 from 80-year-old in Wantage (From The Oxford Times)

Burglar steals £140 from 80-year-old in Wantage

7:21pm Thursday 18th June 2009 in

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Police are appealing for information after a distraction burglary in Wantage.

Between 11.45am and midday yesterday, an 80-year-old man was in his house in Stockham Park when he heard a man at his door.

The man said he needed to dig a hole in the back garden and he went with the occupant to the garden.

The man has since noticed that £140 has been stolen from a purse, which was inside a handbag in the house.

The burglar was white, fat, about 5ft 6in tall, clean shaven and in his forties. He was wearing a brown woolly hat with a peak, brown trousers and a dark brown coat.

Det Con Chris Leech, from Abingdon police station, said: “I urge anyone with any information to contact the police.

“There is no reason why a stranger should ever come into your home. All agencies or utility companies should make an appointment and also use a password system.

“I would urge anyone with elderly or vulnerable relatives, neighbours or carers to check their home security and alert them to the dangers of opening the door to a stranger.

“Distraction burglars prey on the elderly and vulnerable. If you see people calling at houses and are suspicious of their intentions, I would urge you to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Det Con Leech at Abingdon police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don’t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.