Elderly Couple Targeted In Burglary

West Yorkshire Police have issued a warning to residents after bogus callers tricked their way in an elderly couple's home last week.

At around 7.20pm on Wednesday (4 June), a man called at the property in Jubilee Street, Morley, claiming to be from the "water board".

He told the 62-year-old woman at the home that there was a leak and he needed to check the pipes. When he was inside the house, he instructed the victim to remove items from a cupboard under the kitchen sink and then shouted for the woman's husband, aged 72, to come and help.

He became suspicious and asked the man to leave but he went into a bedroom and stole a green cashbox containing collectable coins before running out. A second man, who the couple had not been aware was in the house, then ran from another bedroom.

The men have been described as white and aged in their 30s. One was about 5ft 8ins tall, with black hair. He was wearing a dark jacket and dark glasses. The second male was around 6ft tall wearing a fawn hooded top. The men ran off across Middleton Road, in the direction of Gillroyd Parade.

Among the stolen items are a silver John F Kennedy memorial coin, a large silver coronation coin picturing The Queen on horseback, a ten shilling note and two £1 notes.

Andy Welbourn, Detective Inspector of Leeds District CID, said: "Criminals who target the elderly and vulnerable in this way are utterly despicable and we are determined to do all we can to find them.

"We would like to hear from anyone who saw these men in the area or who has any information that can assist us in tracing them, particularly anyone who has been offered these distinctive collectable notes and coins for sale."

He added: "We have had a number of similar incidents recently where bogus callers have been using the story that they are from the water board and checking for leaks. We would urge people to be vigilant and to contact the police immediately if they see anyone acting suspiciously in their street or calling at homes."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(CVS/JP)