Frail woman sends intruder packing
11:55am Friday 4th July 2008
Comments (2)A FRAIL elderly woman sent a man packing before he had a chance to burgle her Dorchester home.
The woman stopped the would-be burglar by telling him: "I've met your sort before".
And when she demanded that he produced ID to support his claim that he was from the water board he left her Garfield Avenue home empty-handed.
The woman was quick to challenge the man after falling victim to a bogus official five years ago.
PC Dave Blackman of Dorchester Police praised her quick thinking and determined response.
He said: "This man barged past her as soon as she opened the door. He just walked straight in, went to the kitchen and turned the taps on. He told her he was from the water board and told her to go upstairs and turn the bathroom taps on. But she was very brave. She had been conned by someone like this five years ago and so she was really clued up.
"She refused to go upstairs and leave him on his own and she demanded to see his ID. He said it was in his van parked down the road and he left.
"There's no doubt he wanted her out of the way so he could steal something."
PC Blackman said the woman then phoned her niece who went to the house and then called the police.
He said: "Fortunately, this lady was not hurt but she is elderly and quite frail and she was really quite shaken afterwards."
He said police conducted house-to-house inquiries but nobody else appears to have been approached by the man.
PC Blackman added: "These incidents sometimes go in spates so there may be other incidents, perhaps in another part of the town."
He warned other people to be on their guard and never let anyone in without examining their ID and if necessary phoning the company to check.
The incident happened on Tuesday at around 11am. The man is described as white, in his mid-30s, about 5ft 8ins and of slim build, with short dark hair. He spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a dark striped shirt and black trousers.
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Dave Blackman at Dorset Police on 01305 222222 or 226801.
Your Say YourThisisdorset
Captain Sensible, Near Muff says...
10:08am Sat 5 Jul 08
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maximus, Weymouth says...
9:59am Sat 5 Jul 08