BURGLARY victims were locked in their own home by criminals pretending to be police officers in Luton yesterday (Janueary 25).
There were three such burglaries involving people impersonating police or immigration officials, and Bedfordshire Police are linking them all.
Detective Constable Phil Raikes said: “While it does not appear that a great deal has been taken during these three incidents we are keen to locate the offenders as quickly as possible before they cause misery to anyone else.
“I’d like to hear from anyone who was in any of the areas at the time of these incidents or anyone else who may have information – however small or insignificant they think it is – that could help us. Don’t dismiss your information as unimportant – even tiny details which don’t seem relevant now might become useful later on in the investigation.”
The first incident happened in Fieldgate Road at 5.35pm when three males claiming to be police officers looking for stolen property entered a property.
They said they would arrest the victims if they left the room they were in, then searched the property, cut the phone lines and took the house keys before locking the victims inside.
The first offender is described as white, around 5ft8, with a moustache and beard, wearing a grey hat, grey top and blue jeans.
The second was described as white, in his mid 20s, clean shaven, with a broad face and also wearing a hat. The third was white and wearing a grey/dark top.
Following the raid the men then left the location in a dark coloured Audi.
A second attempted burglary took place in Dunsby Road at around 5.55pm when a man with an Irish accent with a goatee style beard, wearing a grey hat, grey bottoms and a grey hooded top knocked on the door claiming to be a policeman.
The man had a ‘walkie-talkie’ with him, but the homeowners refused to allow entry to the property and the man then got into a dark, possibly black, coloured Audi and left the area.
The third attempted raid took place at around 6.15pm in Westmoreland Avenue when three males claiming to be immigration officials knocked on the victim’s door.
The men, one of whom had a goatee style beard, refused to show any identification and when the victim threatened to call the police, the men left in a dark coloured Audi.
If you have information relating to this incident, contact DC Raikes, in confidence, on 01582 473288, the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Bedfordshire Police is also reminding residents not to allow unexpected visitors into their homes and follow these tips:
Always use a door chain or spy-hole to check who is calling before you open the door. Shut and lock the back door before you open the front – these offenders often work in pairs.
All police officers, immigration officials and utility staff carry ID cards. Make them show the card, and then use the number in the phone book to call the relevant company and check that they are a genuine member of staff. Make sure they wait outside while you do this.
Always stay with the caller while they are in your home. You should be suspicious if they want to look round on their own.
Never show anyone where you keep valuables. Do not keep large amounts of money in the house – even if you think it is well hidden.
If you are at all suspicious of the caller, DO NOT LET THEM IN. Lock the door and call the police.
If you would like to arrange a visit from a local Crime Reduction Officer to help keep burglars out, please contact Bedfordshire Police on 01234 841212.