Bogus water official steals cash from Telford pensioner

An elderly woman had hundreds of pounds in cash taken from her Telford home after letting in a man posing as a water official, police said today.

The raid on the home in Johnston Road, Dawley, was the fourth distraction burglary reported in the space of a few hours on Wednesday.

Police are linking all four incidents and today issued an urgent appeal for people to remain vigilant and not let strangers in without checking identification first.

Telford police spokeswoman Denise Wakefield said: "A man knocked at the elderly woman's home purporting to be from a water company. He claimed there had been a burst pipe and he had to check the tap.

"The suspect entered the kitchen and began to run the tap and asked the woman to watch it. At some point he searched areas of the house and stole cash.

"The woman and her family are extremely upset. We would appeal to anyone who saw anything that could help us with our investigation to come forward.

"Police have carried out inquiries in the area and have been offering help and advice to residents concerned about callers.

"We would urge householders to be vigilant if an unknown caller knocks. Only allow them into your home if you have carried out every check possible."

It comes after two similar incidents in Slaney Street in Oakengates, also on Wednesday. In one, a thief stole more than £200 cash from the house of an 81-year-old man after claiming there was a problem with his water supply.

Police said burglars also unsuccessfully tried to get into another home in Slaney Street and one in Worcester Road, Dawley.

Anyone with information is urged to call Telford police on 0300 333 3000.