Appeal for witnesses following distraction burglary in Hereford

Police are appealing for witnesses or information following a distraction burglary in Hereford last Thursday.

Around 11am, a man knocked on the door of a house on Mortimer Road in Hereford saying he needed to check the address for a leak due to an issue on the main road.  The victim allowed the man into the house and walked into the kitchen with him.

At approximately 11.30am a relative of the victim as arrived at the house and found the front door open. As he has walked in a second man who the victim didn't know was in the house, has run from the living room and both suspects have run from the house and into a silver car parked outside. It is not believed at this time that any items have been taken.

The first suspect who initially knocked at the front door is described as white, 5'8" - 5'10", late 20s to mid 30s, wearing black gloves with white detail and trainers with a white stripe.

The second suspect is 5'6" to 5'8" tall, mid 20s wearing a navy blue tracksuit bottoms and wearing a blue baseball cap.

Both men were seen getting into a silver coloured estate type vehicle parked poorly on the junction of Mortimer Road and the A49 with a man already sat waiting in the driver's seat. The vehicle then turned right out of Mortimer Road onto the A49 with no further direction of travel known after that.

Detective Constable Peter Dunne said: "We urge local residents to be on their guard and vigilant to anyone knocking on their door unannounced as unfortunately not everyone who calls at the door is who they claim to be.

"Often these people can be very convincing and give no reason for the occupant to believe they are not genuine however we do urge people to be cautious. If in any doubt don't let them in and check their identity.

"Any genuine caller will not mind waiting or coming back another time after arrangements have been made to check they are who say they are. If possible, arrange for someone else to be at the property when they return.

"We're appealing for information in relation to this incident and I would ask anyone who was in the area on Thursday morning and saw anything that seemed suspicious or out of the ordinary to get in contact with us. Of particular interest is any information regarding a silver car, maybe an estate, parked at the junction of Mortimer Road and the A49. The vehicle was parked poorly on a busy junction in the middle of the day and may well be remembered by passing motorists.

"We would also like to hear from anyone else who may have been approached by these men regarding water works on their road or similar leak work."

Anyone with any information is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting crime reference 22/58288/19. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.