Police investigate rogue traders who took part in distraction burglary

Police are investigating a report of a rogue trader who later took part in a distraction burglary at a property in Wotton-under-Edge on Tuesday 20 October.

The 95-year-old victim had been visited by two men at around 10am on Monday 19 October, who explained that he had loose tiling on his roof. The elderly man agreed to the work being carried out and handed over £5,000 in cash, with the men telling him they would return the following day.

On Tuesday, a third man visited the victim and offered to show him a video of the work that would need to be done to the roof. It is believed that, during this time, another suspect has entered the house and conducted a search of the victim’s bedroom.

The victim later discovered that a safe, containing money and jewellery belonging to his late wife, had been stolen.

The first man, who gave his name as Michael, is described as being white, with no accent, about 5ft 9ins tall and of stocky build. He had dark auburn hair and a cropped auburn moustache. He was wearing a long-sleeved fawn coloured anorak with a red and white band around the waist.

The second man is described as white, about 6ft tall, of slender build, with cropped, auburn hair.

The third man, who visited on Tuesday, is described as white, about 6ft tall, of slender build. He was wearing a similar anorak to the first suspect.

We are asking the public to remain vigilant and let us know if they have seen men matching these descriptions in the area by calling 101 and quoting incident number 378 of 20 October.

Advice on keeping your property safe can be found by visiting: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/residential-burglary/