Three pensioners have been threatened and attacked in their own homes as a spate of violent distraction burglaries across Northampton continues.
All three attacks were recorded yesterday and saw pensioners, all in their 80s, robbed.
In the first incident, between noon and 1.15pm in Thorn Hill, Briar Hill, a man pretended to be from the water board in order to get into the house of a 83-year-old man.
He stole cash from the man.
In the second incident, at approximately 9.45pm in Redruth Close, Far Cotton, a burglar pretended to be a neighbour of the 82-year-old victim, who then barged his way into the house and stole cash and jewellery.
The third incident took place at about 10.30pm, in Euston Road, also in Far Cotton, when a man again pretending to be from the water board pushed his way into the house of an 87-year-old woman and stole her handbag and cash.
In each of the incidents the offenders used or threatened to use violence on this elderly victims.
Police are already investigating 10 violent distraction burglaries this summer, including a violent attack on 92-year-old Frank Davies last weekend.
Detective Inspector Lorraine Gordon, who is investigating the incidents, said: “These callous individuals are clearly targeting the elderly to commit these horrific crimes and what makes them worse is the violence or threat of violence used.
“We can’t stress enough how important it is for the elderly or vulnerable not to open the door if they do not recognise the caller.
“We have had a number of cases recently where victims are opening the door without verifying who the caller is. Once the door is open, the offender is free to push past and get in. In some of these cases the offenders have called at the property late in the evening.
“There is no reason to open the door to someone you are not expecting at that time of the day.
“We are doing everything we can to investigate theses crimes, and desperately need anyone with information to come forward. We also need family and friends who know of elderly residents to warn them and ensure they do not open the door to unknown visitors. If they don’t do anything else, the one thing we would remind them is not to open the door.
“If necessary, they can speak to them through the letterbox and ask them to return when there is an appropriate relative in the house who can check the visitors ID.
“Although there have been a number of distraction type incidents in Northampton recently, they are rare and at this stage there is nothing to suggest they are connected.
“We are carrying out regular patrols in the neighbourhoods and issuing leaflets in the area. Investigators are working to identify the offenders responsible. We would ask members of the public to contact us immediately if they have any information that can help the investigation and quote Operation Inferno when they call.”