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Cowardly attack against women, 90
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| Joan Leeson at her home in Stratton |
A COWARDLY attack left a 90-year-old woman bruised and shaken after trying to chase two distraction burglars from her home.
Joan Leeson became the latest con victim at her Stratton home on Wednesday morning when a man claiming to be from the water board told her she had a problem with the water pressure.
The man enticed her onto the driveway outside to talk about a broken pipe. But when Mrs Leeson, who walks with a zimmer frame, tried to get back into her house she was greeted by another man who had been rifling through her belongings upstairs.
"I didn't really let him get away with it," she said. "He said he was going to dig up my drive but I told him I wouldn't let him and asked where his badge was.
When the second man came out of her house she tried to grab him but he pushed her against the door causing bruising to her hand.
She said: "I got hold of him and he pushed me away and then they both shot off."
The thieves stole a gold watch with her name engraved on the back she had been given for 40 years of service at Woolworths and her mother's 100-year-old engagement ring.
Mrs Leeson's son David came home and phoned the police.
She said: "I noticed a little necklace had also gone missing and some other rings. My son said to me I could have ended up in hospital.
"I am looking on the bright side and possessions are not everything even though they had sentimental value."
| "This is a cowardly attack by callous individuals." | | Crime prevention officer Paul Francis |
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She added: "I don't always think about locking the doors and I don't think we should have to lock ourselves in, it's a shame that we do have to now."
The both men were white and one was tall and well built wearing a heavy coat, the other was wearing a fawn coloured pullover.
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward and warning residents to be wary of cold-callers at the doorstep.
Crime prevention officer Paul Francis said: "This is a cowardly attack by callous individuals. Don't let people in unless its someone you know and trust or a business caller who has made a pre-arranged appointment."
Anyone with information should ring police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Tips:
Always keep the door shut even if the caller looks official or flashes ID at you as it could be fake.
If business callers come to your home without making an appointment, ask them to come back later at an agreed time when you can have someone else with you.
In the meantime, check their story by phoning the organisation they claim to represent. Look up the number in your telephone book rather than relying on the one on their card.
No representative of a legitimate organisation will mind at all waiting while you do this.
3:00pm Wednesday 26th March 2008
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