POLICE are advising Wolverhampton residents to be vigilant following two ‘bogus official’ burglaries yesterday in which pensioners were targeted by conmen claiming to be investigating a gas explosion.

Three men purporting to be gas board employees tricked their way into an 81-year-old woman’s home in Ecclestone Road, Ashmore Park, at around 7.20pm and managed to grab £400 in cash before fleeing.

The thieves said they needed to check the water supply as a gas explosion may have damaged the local sewerage system. One was said to have moustache and be wearing a black deerstalker hat and jacket.

And the same tactic was used around 30 minutes earlier by a man who talked his way into a property in Hampstead Close, Wednesfield.

On this occasion, though, the ‘bogus official’ left empty handed after coming face-to-face with the elderly resident’s carer in an upstairs bedroom.

West Midlands Police Chief Inspector Anthony Tagg, said: “Distraction burglars are particularly cowardly and prey on the most vulnerable members of society, often the elderly. Several hundred pounds was stolen from one lady last night…the burglars even shoved her against a wall when she became suspicious and challenged them.

“The tactic used on both occasions is almost identical so we’re looking into whether the incidents may be linked.

“Our message is always ‘if in doubt, keep them out’. If you have any concerns or suspicions call the police on 0345 113 5000 and in an emergency dial 999.”

There are several precautions residents can take to help protect them selves against distraction burglars:

•  Check to see who’s at the door by using a spy hole or look through a window.
•  Always put the chain on before you open the door. Door chains are available from most DIY stores for as little as £2.
•  Bogus callers sometimes work in pairs; beware of one distracting you while others steal property. Always make sure any rear or side access doors are locked before opening the front door to prevent anyone sneaking in.
•  If you don’t know the caller, ask to see their identity card. Check it carefully, and keep the chain on while you do this.
• Genuine callers won’t mind if you close the door while you check. You could also phone the company or organisation to verify they are genuine by using a number from the telephone directory and not a number given to you by the caller.
•  Utility companies operate password schemes whereby, if you register a password with them, any caller purporting to be from that company will give you that password if they need to enter your property.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wolverhampton Police Acquisitive Crime Team at Bloxwich police station CID on 0345 113 5000 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

After a recent spate of suspicious cat deaths in the WV11 area we are issuing a warning to all cat owners about the dangers of anti freeze to cats. It is important to be aware of how lethal this can be and what the symptoms are especially with the colder weather fast approaching.

Molly, the latest cat to fall victim died on Thursday last week and blood tests came back  positive for anti freeze poisoning that causes kidney failure in felines.

Pet owner Sarah Bould from Ashmore Park was devastated to hear the news, she said “It’s a horrible way for a family pet to die, made even worse to think someone could have done this deliberately.”

Senior Nurse Jody from Cavan Vets said; “There is a chemical in antifreeze that tastes very sweet to cats which is why they are attracted to it.  It is vitally important to act quickly is you suspect you cat has ingested antifreeze as immediate treatment is needed”

- You can contact Cavan on 01902 784 555 and if it is out of hours their answer machine will give you all the details for their emergency service supplied by St Georges Vets in the city.

There are several indicators that you pet may have been poisoned and these include;

• The cat will appear intoxicated, stumbling, lack of coordination, dizziness & vomiting.
• Excessive thirst.
• Excessive urination.
• Seizures
• Vomiting

These symptoms last for approximately 12 hours after ingestion. After this, the cat may appear to recover. Approximately 12 – 24 hours after ingestion the following symptoms appear:

• Rapid Breathing
• Rapid heart beat
• Lethargy
• Anorexia

The cat in the picture has not fallen victim to anti freeze
image: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

POLICE in Wolverhampton are urging residents to be vigilant after a 64-year-old woman became the victim of a distraction burglary yesterday (Monday 22nd August).

The incident took place between 10.30am and 10.40am yesterday when three men, claiming to be from ‘Customs and Excise’, tricked their way into the property in the Heath Town area of the city and made off with cash and cigarettes.

The offenders are described as:

-         white man, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins tall, medium build, approximately 40 years, black hair, wearing a black suit.

-         white man, 6ft tall, small build, 20-30 years, brown shoulder length hair, wearing a black jacket and white shirt.

-         no description of the third man.

One of the men also claimed to be a detective from Wolverhampton Police and all three spoke in Irish accents. This incident follows a similar burglary last Friday (19 August) in Wednesfield, where cigarettes were also stolen from a property by three men with similar descriptions to yesterday’s burglary.

Local police have issued a reminder urging residents to always ask callers for identification before considering letting them in.

Superintendent Mark Payne, from Wolverhampton Police, said: “Bogus callers often pose as representatives from organisations such as the police, council or the gas or water board in order to gain access to people’s homes.

“You should always ask to see a caller’s identification and check it thoroughly. If you are not expecting anyone and have not invited them, don’t let them in.

“If anyone has information relating to this incident or believes they may have been visited by a bogus caller recently, we would urge them to get in touch.”

Police are offering the following advice to help combat bogus callers:

LOCK – Keep your front and back doors locked, even when you are at home.
STOP – before you answer, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. Check you have locked the back door and taken the key out. Look through the spy hole or window to see who it is.
CHAIN – If you decide to open the door, put the chain or door bar on first. Keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep.
CHECK – even if they have a pre-arranged appointment, check their identity card carefully. Close the door while you do this. If you are still unsure, look up a phone number in the phone book and ring to verify their identity. Do not use a phone number on the identity card, as this may be fake. If you have any doubts, keep them out!

Anyone with information is urged to contact Wolverhampton Police on 0345 113 5000 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

There have been two men posing as “water board” officials trying to get into houses around the area. The local Police are aware of this issue.

Remember to be vigilant. Ask for ID when anyone, claiming to be from ANY company, knocks your door and then ring the  listed company to check they are for real. You do not have to let them in to wait while you do this. Any genuine work men or representative will not have “forgotten” his I.D and will not protest at being asked.  If you are suspicious just inform them you are not available today and ask for the company to call you up to make an appointment – you do not need to give any personal details or contact numbers – if the workmen are for real the company will have your details on file.

Look out for our neighbours, especially the older ones who are particularly vulnerable and stay safe.  Visit the WM Police Safer Homes website for their advice on  distraction burglaries and bogus callers.