POLICE are hunting for two young men after a spate of distraction burglaries in east and north Hampshire. And they are also warning householders to be vigilant when answering the door to callers. The burglaries, together with an attempted burglary, happened last week in a 76-hours period. In the first incident, on Sunday, April 16, an 86-year- old woman, of Manor Fields, Liphook, answered the door to a man who said he had a delivery for her. He went into the house while two other men went upstairs with the delivery. When the men had gone, the woman noticed her bedroom had been searched and four rings were missing. Two days later at 4 pm on Tuesday, April 18, a 83-year-old householder, of Babs Field, Bentley, came face-to-face with three men in his back garden. The men made an excuse for why they were there and left. Half an hour later, a woman, of Prospect Avenue, Farnborough, opened her door to a man who said that a dog had been run over and had run into her garden. He asked the 77 year old to help him look for it. After searching for about five minutes the woman heard a second man saying that the dog had been found and both men ran off. When she returned to her home she noticed her handbag was missing. The following day at 2 pm, a 91-year-old woman, of Durford Place, Petersfield, found three men in her bedroom where they were searching her cupboards and drawers. They took a quantity of cash and left. Police have issued descriptions of two men they want to speak to in connection with the incidents. Both men are white and aged around 20. The first man is 5ft 7ins tall of medium build with short ginger hair. He was wearing a long sleeved white shirt and black trousers. The second man is between 5ft 5ins to 5ft 9ins tall with dark hair. He was wearing a white shirt and dark trousers. Pc Andy Grieve said: "I would like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in these areas or the surrounding areas at the time of the incidents. "Although this type of crime is relatively rare, we have had some instances over the last few months where people have called at doors claiming to be from utility companies and even the police and I would advise residents to take extra care when dealing with callers at their homes." Pc Edward Barrett added: "I urge people to be vigilant and to ask for identification from callers they don't know. A genuine caller won't mind you taking time to check with the organisation they are from. If you turn someone away from your home because you think they are suspicious, tell the police immediately. Remember, if in doubt – keep them out." Anyone with any information is urged to call Pc Grieve in the priority crime team at Aldershot Police Station, Pc Barrett in the priority crime team at Whitehill Police Station on 0845 045 45 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
