"Beware the Distraction Burglars !

Just when we think the village is enjoying a period of very low crime levels, and we tend to become a little complacent, that is the time when the criminals will appear on the scene. Recently, a gang of distraction burglars has targeted Hilton and other local villages, posing as water board officials on the door step. One will arrive at the front door, engaging the occupant in conversation, while the accomplice makes an entry through an open back door.

The lessons are clear : never let anyone into your home unless you have checked their credentials, if in doubt over their identity, always deny access, and finally be sure to keep front and rear doors locked to deny access to the criminal when you may be distracted elsewhere.

Police are very keen to receive any information on incidents of this sort or where suspicious leaflets are dropped through the letter-box, so please remember to make a call without delay to our Police Community Contact Officer, Angie Walters, on 01480 422957.

Please also copy your reports to the village NHW Co-ordinator - Chris Potter - or your local NHW area rep, so that we can pass on the warning to others around the village. This is one way that we can help to tighten the net on the criminal gangs who cause such damage and misery to our communities."