Four women are being hunted by police after jewellery and cash were stolen in a distraction burglary.
Police say the owner of a home in Holly Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, was distracted at around 10am on July 8 while a thief entered their property and ransacked items of ‘high value’.
Detectives launched a CCTV investigation in order to locate who was behind the plot, but so far they have been unable to identify them.
Now, the force has issued a photograph of four women they want to speak with in connection with the incident.
Official police guidance says distraction burglars ‘will pretend to be someone they are not in order to gain entry to your home’.
Common methods used, they say, are people pretending to be from a care agency, the council or a utility company looking to investigate gas or water leaks.
It is advised that members of the public stay alert by always checking a person’s identity documents.
An extract from the guidance says: ‘There are a number of things you can do to prevent distraction burglary. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anyone at your door – genuine callers won’t mind.’
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said of the four women: ‘We want to speak with them following a distraction burglary at a property in Holly Road, Handsworth, at around 10am on 8 July.
‘The owner of the house was distracted while one person entered the home and stole items of high value.
‘Since the burglary, we have carried out CCTV enquiries but have been unable to identify these women.’
Those with information are urged to get in touch with the force via their live chat or by calling 101 quoting crime reference number 20/305963/25.