CommunitySafe.gov.uk

Sutton detectives are investigating six reports of burglaries involving doorstep callers gaining entry to houses and flats of elderly men and women saying that they want to ‘check out’ the water. On each occasion the callers have said they are working in the area and want to come in and check the water supply or water pressure. Other excuses to gain entry have included water leaking from the resident's property into a flat below or water coming out blue at properties along the road. The addresses where ‘water burglary’ incidents have been reported since the beginning of this year are: Stanmore Gardens, Sutton; Love Lane, Morden; Thornton Road, Carshalton; Brighton Road, Sutton; Courtney Crescent, Carshalton - and most recently in Ewell Road, Cheam. At the incident in Ewell Road on Saturday (5th February), £120 cash and a brooch were taken from a flat after the resident allowed in a man who wanted to check under her kitchen sink. Moments later, the resident got another call at the door from another man - leaving the first man to have a look around. Although officers were on scene within five minutes of receiving the emergency call, there was no trace of the suspects. Detective Sergeant Sarah McConnell, of Sutton CID, said these are particularly cruel crimes because they target the elderly and vulnerable in local communities. The residents in these six incidents are aged between 69-91. One suspect is described as slim build. The other man is described as stocky build. They are both aged between 20-40. Police are urging residents to: - keep your front door shut to unknown and unexpected callers - call police immediately on 999 Residents should consider: - setting up a nominated neighbour scheme where you get a neighbour to deal with any calls you receive. You direct any callers to your nominated neighbour who then deals with the caller on your behalf - contacting Sutton Council’s Safer Sutton Trader Scheme on 020 8770 5070 for a directory of reputable traders PC Pat Simcox, of Sutton’s Crime Prevention Team, said: “The message is simple: if in doubt, keep them out!” The Crime Prevention Team can be contacted on 020 8649 0569.