Warning as sneak burglars target pensioners

Last night police described the thieves as "despicable" and warned people to be on their guard.

The first incident took place near Saxon Road, in Moortown, at about midday on Sunday, May 30, when an 86-year-old female was told by a suspect on her doorstep that there was a dead cat in her rear garden.

As she followed the suspect into the rear garden of the property an accomplice sneaked into the house and stole a number of items.

The suspect seen by the victim is described as a white male, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, 5ft 9in tall, with short dark hair, clean shaven, and was said to be softly spoken with a slight stammer.

In the second incident, on the Hansby estate in Seacroft at 4pm, three suspects targeted an 85-year-old female in the same way.

The main suspect is described as a white male, about 18 and of slim build. The two other suspects are thought to be slightly older and were said to look scruffy.

Insp Edward Chesters, who leads the Killingbeck and Seacroft Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "The behaviour demonstrated by these criminals is despicable and they need to be taken off the streets.

"Doorstep crime does remains relatively unusual but it can have an understandably detrimental effect on someone's confidence when they feel they've been tricked in their own home but this can easily be avoided by following a few simple rules.

"First of all always look through the door and think 'bogus caller' if it's someone you don't recognise.

"If you have a security chain put it on before you open the door and if you don't please consider buying one, they cost very little and are easy to fit."

He added that criminals often worked in pairs, so people should check their back door was locked before answering their front door.

He added: "If you ever feel unduly pressured by someone on your doorstep who is making an attempt to access your home tell them you are going to call the police."