Banbury burglar targets elderly victim

Police are appealing for information after a distraction burglary in Banbury.

On Tuesday February 28 at about 2.15pm, an elderly victim was at his home in Springfield Avenue, Banbury when a man knocked on his front door. He said he was working on a neighbour’s house and noticed the victim’s roof cap stones were damaged causing damp in the loft space.

The elderly gentleman paid £600 cash to complete the work.

The offender then asked him to go and open the loft hatch to allow it to dry out before commencing work.

The victim did this and when he came back downstairs the suspect had left the house stealing a further £300 cash from the victim’s dining room.

The offender was driving a white transit van is described as white, in his thirties and around 6ft tall with an English accent.

He was clean-shaven with a round face wearing a light green beanie hat, a navy blue anorak and was carrying a bound book containing roofing information.

Investigating officer DC Richard Lewis, based at Banbury police station, said: “We are conducting a full investigation into this incident and would like to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in this area at this time.

“You can contact me via the Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101. Alternatively, if you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”