West Bridgford police have warned local residents to be vigilant after receiving reports of people posing as fake officers.
The police posted on Facebook they had received three separate reported incidents of people claiming to be police officers across the area.
The incidents are reported to have happened on Boxley Drive in West Bridgford, Somerton Avenue in Wilford and Queens Road in Radcliffe-on-Trent.
In all cases, the suspects tried the occupant’s door or opened the letter box and when challenged, they said they were police officers.
Descriptions of the people involved vary but it appears they are white males in their late 20s; one may have an Irish accent.
They are believed to be wearing a face covering, balaclava and/or a woolly hat and wearing a green or black jacket.
West Bridgford police offered advice on what to do in situations of distraction or bogus official burglaries.
Full advice posted by West Bridgford Police on Facebook
Any crime where a falsehood, trick or distraction is used on an occupant of a dwelling to gain, or try to gain, access to the premises to commit burglary.
It includes cases where the offender first enters premises and subsequently uses distraction burglary methods in order to remain on the premises and/or gain access to other parts of the premises in order to commit burglary.
All police officers carry identity cards.
Ask for this to be passed to you through the letter box or through the opening of your door if on a chain.
If in doubt, call the control room on 101 to confirm the officer’s identity.
If you’re not sure who is at your door, don’t open it.
Check the identity of the caller by calling the company they claim to be from, such as the police, council or gas, electricity, water companies.
Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or sent to you by your service provider.
Many utility service providers like gas, electricity and water, offer password schemes for customers; sign up to these.
When unannounced callers claiming to be from these utility providers call at your door, they should know the password if they are genuine.
Water Boards no longer exist – it is an obsolete phrase used only by bogus callers.
If a builder or tradesman offers to accompany you to the bank so you can withdraw cash to pay them, don’t accept.
Arrange for someone you know well to take you and pay the tradesman later.
Don’t keep large quantities of cash at home; put it in the bank where it is safe
Keep doors locked and windows secure at all times.
Ensure that if you do let somebody in to your home, you close the door behind them – distraction burglars often work in teams, where one will distract you whilst others sneak in through the insecure door.
If somebody asks for your help (such as needing to make a telephone call, losing a ball in your garden, needing a drink or pen and paper) refer them to a younger neighbour or assist them through a closed door or call a friend or neighbour to come and help.
If you suspect a bogus caller is at your door, call 999 immediately.
