Conmen burglars strike in Earlham

People in Norwich and Great Yarmouth have been warned to watch out for con artists trying to trick their way into homes to burgle them.

A spate of crimes has seen people pretending to work for water companies to get into homes before stealing money.

Police are investigating two crimes, which happened last Wednesday in Great Yarmouth and Earlham.

Between 11.30am and 12.30pm three men called at a property on Cradock Avenue in Yarmouth, claiming that they needed to enter the house in order to fix a burst water main.

After being allowed in, the men confused the elderly man who lived there and stated the pipes were leaking.

His wife then became suspicious and challenged the men, who fled the scene empty-handed and got into a white car, believed to be a Ford Focus.

Later that day a man claiming to be from a water company called at an address in Ambleside Close in Earlham between 3pm and 4pm, stating he needed to check if the water was contaminated.

The man was allowed in and turned taps on in the kitchen and bathroom and left about 10 minutes later. The victim later discovered that a large quantity of cash was missing from the address. Police believe a second man sneaked into the house while the first suspect was checking taps.

Det Sgt Pete Jessop, from Norfolk Constabulary's Operation Radar team, said: 'I cannot stress enough to always check the identify of anyone cold calling at your home and don't be afraid to leave them standing on your doorstep and if you are concerned call someone you know.'

Anyone with information about the distraction burglaries should call the Operation Radar team on 0845 456 4567 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Householders can check the identity of callers by contacting Anglian Water on 0800 14 51 45. Further crime prevention advice is available at www.norfolk.police.uk

Do you have a crime story for the Evening News? Call reporter Ben Kendall on 01603 772423 or email ben.kendall@archant.co.uk