HOUSHOLDERS across Herefordshire are being warned to be extra vigilant when there’s a knock at the door, following a number of recent distraction burglaries in the county.

January has seen a number of offences happening, whereby callers to people’s homes use a variety of ruses to gain entry and, once inside, steal items such as handbags, purses or other easily portable items. In many cases, the homeowners do not realised they have been burgled until the offenders have left.

Callers have posed as representatives of utility companies or tradesmen offering to carry out building repairs. Other incidents have involved people knocking on doors and asking to use the telephone to call the police to report a neighbour or someone in the street having fallen over and injured themselves.

In each case the story is simply a ruse to try and gain entry to the property. In a large number of the cases the offenders have targeted the elderly.

"West Mercia Constabulary is committed to reducing the number of distraction burglaries and a specialist team has been set up to investigate incidents and to target suspects and known offenders," explained PC Charles Naylor.

"The Force’s high-profile Knock Knock campaign urges everyone to be on the look out for unusual or suspicious people and vehicles in their neighbourhood. A call to the police - on 08457 444 888 - could provide vital information to help bring those responsible for these cruel offences to justice."

You can help crack down on these criminals by:

• Keeping a discreet eye on people calling in the area or acting suspiciously
• Noting registration numbers of vehicles parked in your area for a period of time
• Calling 08457 444 888 to provide information to the police about suspicious people, activity or vehicles, however insignificant.
• Make sure doors and windows around the home are locked when rooms are left unattended.
• Always ask to see proper proof of identity from anyone who calls at the door. Legitimate callers will be happy to provide this and you should never let anyone into your home until you are happy they are who they claim to be.

TOO MANY motorists in Herefordshire are "losing their way" when it comes to basic security – even those with the latest satellite navigation systems!

That’s the view of Herefordshire Police, who believe motorists often make themselves more vulnerable by failing to follow security advice.

Far too many break-ins happen simply because drivers or passengers leave valuables on show, including mobile phones, stereo equipment and sat-nav systems – which have become a prime target in recent months.

Some insurance companies are now refusing to pay out for portable items stolen from vehicles.

Between December and mid-January, there were seven thefts of sat-nav systems around the county, involving equipment worth £5,000. They occurred on private driveways as well as public car parks and in many cases windows were simply smashed to gain entry.

DC Alex Graham of Hereford Police said: "Many vehicle crimes could be prevented if people ensured mobile phones, handbags, stereo fascais and satellite navigation systems are removed when they park-up.

"If possible, all car equipment should be permanently marked with either the registration number or some other number linked to a recognised database."

Basic tips on helping prevent vehicle crime, include:-

• Remember to lock your vehicle.

• When parking, remove mobile phones, stereo fronts and other possesisions. Take items with you or lock them in the boot out of sight.

• Check windows and sunroofs are closed. Make sure the automatic door locking has worked.

• Park with care, particularly at night. If possible, park in a busy, well-lit area.

A property in Woodleigh Road was damaged over the night of 31^st December/1^st January. On the same night a property in Hereford Road was broken into.

Between 31^st December & 2^nd January the garden shed in a Robinsons Meadow property was broken into.

A property in Jubilee Close was broken into between 3^rd/4^th January.

A pane of glass in a double glazed front door was damaged on 6^th January at a property in St George’s Close. Glass was smashed in the greenhouse of a house in Robinsons Meadow on the same day.

Between 9^th/10^th January a VW Golf parked on a driveway in Golding Way was broken into and audio equipment stolen.

On 10^th January a Sony PlayStation was stolen from a cloakroom at a local school.

Over the night of 10^th/11^th January there were a number of incidents in the town. Cars were interfered with in Skippe Close, Warren Drive, New Street and Target Close, a pane of glass was smashed at a property in the Homend and damage was caused to a vehicle in Bye Street. Other vehicles were broken into and contents stolen: various tools were stolen from vans in Massey Road and John Lee Road. Clothes, audio equipment, tapes and CD’s were taken from a Vauxhall Astra in New Street, Satellite navigation and DVD systems were stolen from a Land Rover in Bronte Drive and a stereo was stolen from a Mercedes in Wye View. A Boxer Van was also broken into in Birch Close, but nothing was stolen.

On 11^th January a quantity of cosmetics were stolen from a shop in the High Street.

A female was assaulted outside John Masefield High School on 12^th January, causing injuries to the face.

Play equipment was damaged at the primary school between12th & 13^th January.

An attempt was made to steal an item of clothing from a shop in Church Street on 14^th January.

A B.T. Kiosk in Orchard Lane was broken into and the cash stolen on 16^th January.

A house in Woodfield Drive was broken into on 17^th January, with offender/s making an untidy search of the property.

On 18^th January a handbag was stolen from a house in New Street. The offender/s posed as Water Board officials.

There was another spate of car crime on the night of 18^th/19^th January: attempts were made to break into commercial vehicles in Barnett Avenue and Oatleys Crescent and various tools were taken from vans in The Langlands and Robinsons Meadow.

On 18^th January a 70-year-old male was assaulted in the Homend.

Damage was caused to a van on the Lower Road Trading Estate between 20^th/21^st January when an attempt was made to steal it. A Vauxhall Astra parked in New Street was also damaged in a similar incident on 21^st/22^nd January. A personal CD player was stolen from the Astra.

Between 21^st & 23^rd January a window at the rear of a property in the Homend was damaged.

On 21^st January the door to a wooden shed was damaged at a property in Robinsons Meadow.

Over the period 22^nd/23^rd January commercial premises on Bromyard Road were broken into. The perimeter fence was cut and a Master Gas space heater, Honda petrol generator and Hitachi mitre saw were stolen.

A child’s bicycle was taken from a property in Masefield Close on 23^rd January. It was later found damaged in Lawnside Road.

Criminal damage was caused to the British Telecom Exchange on Lawnside Road between 23^rd/24^th January.

Between 20^th & 23^rd January a quantity of insulation material was stolen from a building site on Queensway.

On 27^th January a twin phone set and a B.T. Ansaphone were stolen from a shop in the Homend.

Heavy plant was stolen from a building site in Falcon Lane between 28^th & 30^th January. Over the same dates, an attempt was made to break into the council offices.

Over the weekend of 13^th/16^th January a chain and security padlock were removed from commercial premises and stolen.

A 37-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of burglary.

A 43-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of causing Actual Bodily Harm.

A 38-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of rape.

A 20-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of burglary and released on bail.

A 15-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of burglary, theft and vehicle interference and released on police bail.

A 17-year-old male was arrested and released with a reprimand for possession of an offensive weapon.

A 15-year-old male was arrested and released on bail on suspicion of assault.

A 15-year-old male was arrested and remanded in custody on suspicion of affray and causing criminal damage.

Four people were arrested for immigration offences and remanded in custody.

A 28-year-old male was arrested and released with a caution on suspicion of theft from a store.

A 21-year-old male was arrested and released on bail following a breach of public disorder.

A 27-year-old male was released with a caution after being arrested on suspicion of theft.