Intruder posed as a policeman

Swindon officers are renewing an appeal for information about the incident at a house in Gladys Plumley Gardens in which the intruder posed as a policeman.

The burglar got into the home of an elderly woman at the housing scheme between 11pm and 11.30pm on Wednesday, March 30.

She was sitting in her kitchen when the man, who was wearing dark clothing, walked in from another room in the house.

He claimed he was a police officer but did not produce any identification.

He was holding two of her handbags and said he had just recovered them from a youth.

The resident than became aware of a second man who was standing in the front doorway.

The pair left and the woman later discovered two purses containing a substantial amount of cash had been stolen.

Swindon police said that offences in which offenders dressed up as police officers were rare but not unheard of.

They are urging residents to be suspicious of any strangers calling at their home, even if they claim to be a police officer or other officials.

Residents are reminded that all police officers carry an official warrant card bearing the force crest, their photograph, and rank and shoulder number.

If people are still unsure about a warrant card, they can check the details by phoning their nearest police station.

Last year there were more than 50 distraction burglaries in the Swindon area but already this year there have been around 20 and all using different tricks to get inside homes of vulnerable people.

Police believe that many are carried out by travelling gangs from the Midlands and the south of England who swap information with each other to make sure they hit the right homes at the right time.

Anyone with information about the Gorse Hill burglary is asked to contact DC Graham Bailey, of Swindon CID, on 01793 528111. Or they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Lyndsay Scanlan