DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward following a distraction burglary in Corfe Castle.

At around 11.15am on Tuesday June 23, a man gained access to a house in Mead Road claiming he was there to collect the grass cutting money.

The victim, an elderly woman, paid the man £10. 

The offender then asked if he could use the toilet but went into the victim’s bedroom and stole £100 from her purse.

He left in a white transit van with another man and a woman.

The men are described as white, six feet tall, aged in their 40s and wore dark blue body warmers and gloves. 

One was carrying a yellow poster and both spoke with Irish accents.

The woman had dark shoulder-length hair.

Detective Inspector Andrew Dilworth, of Dorset Police’s priority crime team said: "I am appealing to anyone who saw two men and a woman in a transit van in the area of Mead Road on Tuesday afternoon to please call me.

"All calls will be treated in strict confidence."

Dorset Police are investigating a number of similar offences across Dorset, with incidents in Verwood, Sturminster Marshall, Swanage and Blandford between Monday June 15 and Tuesday June 23 in which offenders have gained access to homes posing as gardeners and sewage maintenance workers or asking to use the toilet or get a drink.

DI Dilworth said: "I would like to remind people not to store large amounts of money and valuables at home in one area.

"Do not buy, sell or sign up to any work on the doorstep no matter how urgent they say the work is.
"If you are suspicious of the caller’s intentions, tell them to go away and call a family member or neighbour and inform the police on 101.

"If they won’t leave, then call 999.

"There are a number of steps people can take to avoid becoming a victim of distraction burglary. 

"Ensure the back door is locked and put the chain on before opening the door.

"Always ask for the caller’s identification. 

"Shut the door leaving the caller on the doorstep and phone the number in the phone book not the one on the card they give you, as this could be an accomplice around the corner – especially if it is a mobile number. 

"A genuine caller will be happy to wait while you do this."

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 23:171. 

Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.