Appeal for information following distraction burglary in Swanage
Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward as they investigate a distraction burglary in Swanage.
Between 10am and 10.30am on Wednesday 26 June 204 three men in a white van stopped outside an address in Kings Road West and two of them approached the elderly resident, asking him if he wanted his grass cutting.
He agreed to pay £30 for them to cut his front lawn and as he went into the address to get the money, one of the men followed him.
The victim gave the man £30 and then noticed a second man had entered the address. He subsequently discovered £1,000 in cash had been stolen from a drawer in one of the downstairs rooms.
By the time he had discovered the money was missing and went out to challenge the men, they had left the scene.
The man who is believed to have taken the money is descried as aged in his 40s or 50s, around five feet eight inches tall and of large build. He was wearing a red top.
Police Constable Luke Taylor, of Purbeck police, said: “This incident involved the targeting of a vulnerable elderly man and we are determined to do all we can to identify those involved.
“We are carrying out various enquiries and I would urge anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area around the relevant time, or who has any further information that might assist our investigation, to please come forward.
“I would also urge residents or motorists who were in the vicinity to check for any relevant home CCTV, doorbell camera or dashcam footage.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240096206. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
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