POLICE are investigating five distraction burglaries across South Gloucestershire where offenders have posed as water company officials.

All five incidents occurred on Wednesday night, and are currently being treated as linked.

The offences happened in Gloucester Road North, Patchway; Queensholm Drive and Badminton Road in Downend; Hanham Road in Kingswood and Windsor Drive in Yate, all between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. 

Money was stolen from the properties in Yate and Badminton Road in Downend.

Each incident involved two offenders who have pretended to be working for a water company and have asked for stopcocks to be turned off to assist with a pressure build-up in the local area.

PC Tom Williams said: “We’ve managed to obtain descriptions of the two men who we want to speak to about these offences.

“One was white, in his forties or fifties, 5ft 8ins, of a stocky build, who was wearing a high-vis jacket, beanie hat and glasses or sunglasses. He spoke with an Irish accent.

“The second man was also white, in his twenties, of thin build, and he was wearing a red covering over his face.

“In one of the incidents, an eyewitness saw the men get into a silver Ford Mondeo.

“Do you recognise these descriptions? Have you noticed any men acting suspiciously, or have you had a caller at your door matching these descriptions? If you’ve got any information, please call us.

“We’re asking people in the area to stay alert. Our advice is to be on your guard if you have an unexpected caller. Use your door chain. Genuine council or utility staff will offer identification and will be happy for you to check it before you let them in.”

Anyone with information that might be able to assist inquiries is asked to call PC Tom Williams via 101 and quote reference 5216073368.
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Police have advised that if residents are in any doubt about a visitor, they should call 101, but if they feel threatened, they should call 999 immediately.

They have also said that if residents are not sure of the identity of the visitor, not to open the door.

Officers have also asked those with elderly relatives or neighbours, to help them recognise the signs to look out for if they are suspicious of a cold caller.

For more information and tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of doorstep crime, visit: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/advice/property-and-money/burglary/doorstep-crime/