Elderly women targeted in spate of burglaries

Officers are warning people to ensure their properties are secure after four burglaries where people have entered via an unlocked door occurred in a matter of hours.

The incidents, in Coppenhall and Bradley, both near Stafford, Codsall, and Kingsley Holt, near Cheadle, all happened on Tuesday afternoon.

The first was on Church Lane in Coppenhall at about 12.30pm. The victim, an elderly woman, was approached while working in her garden by a man wearing a high-vis jacket. He spoke to her about apparent roadworks happening in the area and the need for her to move her car due to lorries passing. While this happened, a second offender entered her property via an unsecured door and stole cash and jewellery.

The first man was described as white, aged between 30 and 40, about 5ft 9in tall and of stocky build. He was wearing dark trousers, a black bobble hat and a high-vis vest. Witnesses have described seeing a white or cream car nearby used by a man wearing high-vis and travelling with two other males.

The second incident was at about 1pm on Shredicote Lane in Bradley. A woman had left a door to her property unsecured while working in her garden. An unknown number of offenders have entered, conducted an untidy search and stolen bank cards and keys.

Between 1pm and 3pm, on Wood Road in Codsall, a third incident occurred. Here, an elderly woman left a door to her property unsecured while out shopping. An unknown number of offenders have entered, conducted an untidy search and stolen jewellery.

Insecure doors

And at about 2pm on Churnet Valley Road in Kingsley Holt, an elderly woman left a door to her property unsecured while mowing her lawns. An offender has entered the house and stolen her handbag which contained her bank cards and cash.

Chief Inspector Giles Parsons, Staffordshire Police’s force lead for burglaries from residential properties, said: “These incidents seem to be mainly elderly females leaving their doors insecure, and if they do encounter the offender they have been distracted by them to allow others to enter the house.

“Cash, bank cards and jewellery have been stolen from these people, in what can only be described as despicable crimes.

“We would urge everyone to please ensure entrances to their properties are secure at all times to deter criminals who chance their hand and try doors to see if there is a way in.

“If an offender is confronted and claims to be from an organisation, always ask to see identification. If you are ever suspicious or have any doubts please do not let people into your property.

“To report any suspicious incidents such as this please message the force on social media or call 101 to pass on the details. In an emergency, always dial 999.”

If anybody was in the area of these incidents at the times stated above and saw or heard anything suspicious, they are asked to message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter quoting incident number 285, 310, 390 and 415 of May 18, call 101 or alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.