Please note that in the final days of the run up to Christmas criminals are active and residents in Kenilworth have become victims. There are a couple of incidents that have taken place across the town and these are detailed below.
In addition, residents along with householders in other parts of Warwickshire, have been subject to a very cynical scam that can lead to bank accounts being emptied as well as purse thefts taking place in shopping areas
Framlingham Grove, Kenilworth
Between 5.30 and 7.45pm on 14 December, offenders forced open a window at a home in Framlingham Grove, Kenilworth and then climbed in to the premises. Once inside, the offender turned on lights in the kitchen and carried out a tidy search. Nothing appears to have been stolen.
This report refers to Incident number 295 of 14 December 2014.
Priory Road, Kenilworth
Between 17:30hrs 17/12/2014 and 06:00hrs 18/12/2014 unknown offender(s) have stolen both door mirrors off a Mini Cooper S parked in Priory Road, Kenilworth.
We are unable to provide an incident number at this stage.
Purse Thefts
Please remain vigilant for any persons acting in a suspicious manner and never let your handbag out of your sight, this includes holding it behind you back or leaving it on your trolley while shopping.
The suspects, who are very good at what they do, will use simple distraction techniques and work in pairs, to “dip” into your handbag in order to steal your purse.
The suspects from the latest purse thefts have been described as eastern European females, middle aged and dressed in dark clothing.
We typically see a rise in the number of purse thefts in the town centre during the busy festive shopping period and this year is no exception.
It seems that elderly members of the public in particular are being targeted, with offenders taking advantage of the crowded shopping centres to steal from vulnerable people.
At this time of year, were often less vigilant and tend to carry more money, so I’d urge everyone to be mindful of their surroundings and report any suspicious behaviour to police.
Bank Account Scam
Warwickshire Police are continuing to urge people to be vigilant following a series of phone scams, in which a bogus police officer calls to say that there is a problem with the victim’s bank card.
The offender then asks the victim to telephone the bank, whilst staying on the phone so they go through to another bogus caller, before encouraging them to hand over their bank details, and sending a courier to collect their card.
On Tuesday 16th December, bogus calls were made to three people in Stratford-upon-Avon from a man pretending to be a police officer from Holborn Police Station. On each occasion, he told the victim that their bank card had been cloned and was being used by criminals. Fortunately none of the victim’s handed over any personal details.
On Thursday 18th December, similar calls were made to victims in Nuneaton and Warwick. Again, the victim’s suspected the calls were suspicious and did not hand over any details.
Warwickshire Police are urging people to be vigilant to the scam, which is often targeted at elderly people. Remember police officers, and banks will never ask for account details or PINs over the phone. They also would not come around to your house to collect your cards or property.
People are also advised to make elderly friends and relatives aware of the scam.
Detective Chief Inspector Sean Paley said “If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and call 999 using another phone. We believe that the offenders may be using numbers from the phone book, as they are addressing the victims by name, and are aware of where they live.
We are looking into any potential links between the incidents, and have found that on a number of occasions, people with the surname Smith have been targeted. If you or any friends or relatives have this surname, of any spelling please be especially cautious.”
Kenilworth Watch 