Men posing as water board officials distract elderly woman to steal £400, e-fit issued: Chelmsford
(CM2 - Saturday, 25 September, 2010)

Police have issued an E-fit image of a man who posed as a water board official to steal £400 from an elderly woman in Chelmsford.

The man and two accomplices called at the woman's home off Meadgate Avenue at about 10am on Friday September 24, 2010, and said they wanted to check for a leak that was also affecting other nearby properties.

They asked the woman, who is in her 70s, to clear a cupboard below the kitchen sink while they went to check other homes.

But while she was distracted they searched her home and found the cash in a purse in her bedroom.

The men fled when the woman became suspicious and found them in the bedroom.

The man in the E-fit is described as:

• an olive skinned male 
• aged about 20 to 22
• slim build
• 5ft 6in tall
• short dark hair
• wearing a dark suit jacket, trousers, light shirt and dark coloured tie

The second man is described as:

• aged 20
• 5ft 3in tall
• slim build
• short dark hair
• wearing a white shirt and black tie

The only description of the third man was that he was wearing a cream raincoat.

All the men were believed to have Eastern European accents.

One of the men is also thought to have attempted a similar deception about an hour later when he called at the nearby home of a woman in her 80s.

He said he was fitting a washine machine at a property nearby and asked the woman to turn off her water supply.

When she refused to do so the man left.

Anyone with information about the incidents or anyone who can identify the man in the E-fit should contact Pc Hannah Kirk at the Burglary Squad at Chelmsford police station on 0300 333 4444.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police Force: Essex

Address:
Meadgate Avenue
Chelmsford
ESSEX
CM2