Elderly woman has cash stolen during Poole distraction burglary

CCTV images have been released of a man police want to speak to

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 24th Aug 2022

A vulnerable elderly woman's been targeted in a distraction burglary in Poole.

Dorset Police is investigating after a man attended an address in the Rempstone Road area at around 11.30am on Saturday 6th August.

He asked if she needed her hedges cutting - and let himself into her house when she refused.

The victim was left scared and intimidated, and opened her purse in front of the man.

He took ÂŁ180 in cash and then left the address, without completing any work.

PC Sophia Winborn, of Poole police, said:

“This incident involved the targeting of a vulnerable elderly victim, and we are carrying out a number of enquiries to try and identify the man responsible.

“As part of our investigation, I am releasing images of a man we would like to identify, and I would urge anyone who recognises him to please contact us.

“A small silver van with orange writing on it was seen in the area at the time of this incident and I would urge anyone who has any home CCTV or dashcam footage that may have captured this van or the man involved to also please come forward.

“Finally, I would also like to hear from anyone else in the vicinity who may have been approached in similar circumstances.”

If you can help with any information, you're asked to call Dorset Police on 101, or use their website, quoting reference number 55220127605.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.