87-year-old targeted in 'cowardly crime'
3:39pm Monday 13th February 2012 in Where I Live
87-year-old targeted in 'cowardly crime'
A MAN posing as a police officer tricked an 87-year-old woman into letting him into her High Wycombe home.
Thames Valley Police said the man knocked on the door to the woman’s home near Holmers Farm Way at 7pm on Friday claiming to be an officer.
He told her that he had just confiscated a sum of money from a ‘burglar’ and believed the ‘suspect’ may have entered her home via an open window to the rear of her property.
The victim let the man into her home and she went to check her purse.
The man then offered to make the elderly woman a cup of tea at which point he is believed to have carried out an “untidy search” of a bedroom before he left the building, police said.
Nothing was stolen but police are appealing for help in tracking down the man, in what police are describing as a “cowardly crime”.
Det Con Chris Mavers, of Force CID High Wycombe, said: “This was a cowardly crime, in which a vulnerable person was targeted.
“I am keen to speak to anyone who saw this man in the area or has any information which may help with our investigation.
“I urge people to verify the identity of strangers who call at their homes, either by asking to see their identity card or by calling the company or organisation they claim to be from and checking with them.
“A legitimate caller will never mind and will be happy to wait while you do this. If someone claims to be from the police, this can be verified by asking for their shoulder number and calling the 101 enquiry line to verify this.
“Never let someone into your home without doing this. I can also confirm that the victim was unharmed during this incident.”
The man was wearing dark clothing with a scarf around the bottom of his face, police said.
Contact police on the non-emergency 101 enquiry line or, if you do not wish to speak to police, contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org
