Recently there have been a number of distraction burglary offences on Brighton and Hove division, two of these in East Brighton at Woodingdean and Hollingdean. These offences occur when a criminal gains entry to a property by convincing the occupant that they are a bona fide official. Worryingly this week has seen a number of offences where the criminals have stated that they are police officers either wearing some form of uniform or plain clothes.

The police are committed to finding distraction burglars and to that end would ask the following:

Please ensure that any neighbours or friends that you have, who may be vulnerable to this type of crime, because of age or some other reason, is aware of this spate of crimes.

Use your door chain when answering the door Check all identification offered carefully, consider calling the organisation the caller states they work for to confirm they are genuine, a bona fide caller will not mind this and many have come to expect it.

If you have any concerns over callers to your door and/or suspicious people in your area and they are still there or nearby please call the police using the 999 system.

If you are made aware of a possible offence some time after it has happened and it is unlikely that the offenders are in the area please call the police using the non emergency number of 0845 60 70 999.

Use the “Nominated Neighbour Scheme”.

If you have any information as to the possible identity of those people involved please call the police on the numbers above or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.