Bogus gasman returns to burgle Shoreham home
Bogus gasman returns to burgle Shoreham home
02 September 2010
A bogus gasman is believed to have returned to steal jewellery
and a projector from a Shoreham-by-Sea home.
The man called at a house in Old Shoreham Road on August 13 and
asked to read the gas meter. He was wearing a red lanyard, but did
not appear to have any other official equipment. He then asked
numerous suspicious questions about the occupants' time-keeping and
security.
He is described as white, tanned, in his late 50s, of thin build
with a gaunt face and grey hair that was thick at the back. He was
wearing blue shorts and a navy polo shirt and spoke with a southern
accent.
On Wednesday, August 25, the property was broken into at some time
between 7.45am and 7.20pm and several items were stolen.
DC Paul Tonks from Adur and Worthing CID said: "After checking with
power companies and establishing that there were no legitimate
meter readers in this area on August 13, we believe that this man
could well have returned to burgle the house. If you recognise the
photo-fit image, saw someone fitting the description in the area on
either occasion or believe that a similar thing may have happened
to you, please call 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 1597 of
25/08.
"A genuine representative of the power or water companies will have
official identification and will not mind if you call their
employer to check before letting them in. However, don't call a
mobile telephone number that they may supply to you. Under no
circumstances will they ask you about your security or when you are
at home. If you have any suspicions call the police immediately -
use 999 if they are still there or close by."