RESIDENTS are being warned to be on their guard after a spate of reports of suspicious callers in a Basingstoke suburb.

Detectives received several reports of people calling at houses in South Ham on Thursday, May 15, claiming they were there to do repairs. At each address, a different reason was given about the type of work - fixing CCTV cameras, mending drains or fixing sewage pipes.

And between 4pm and 5pm that day, a man called at a houses in Sandys Road, Austen Grove and St Patrick's Road - all in South Ham.

At the house in Sandys Road, the female occupant noticed that £30 was missing after she had let the man into her home. He is described as white, between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in, with short, fair hair. He is of a thick-set build, aged in his 30s and has a round face with pink cheeks.

He was also wearing navy blue trousers and a loose-fitting blue jacket.

Detective Constable John Hood, from Basingstoke CID, said: "We are linking these incidents as they all occurred around the same time and in the same location.

"I would like to hear from anyone who was in the area on Thursday afternoon and noticed a man, matching this description, going from door to door."

Officers have issued the following Safer Homes advice to avoid becoming a victim of this sort of crime:

• Burglars can fool you into thinking they are genuine callers. Don't be the one who invites them in. If in doubt, keep them out!
• Stop - are you expecting anyone to call on you? Do you know the person at the door? Don't be misled by what appear to be genuine reasons for calling on you.
• Check - a genuine caller will carry identification and will be happy to wait outside while you check it. Remember to source your own number for the company they are claiming to be from, don't accept a number from the caller.
• Chain - fit a door chain or spy hole so that you can speak to callers, or check who they are, without opening the door fully.

If you turn anyone away from your home because they could not provide you with a genuine reason for being there, or you are suspicious of callers in your area, contact the police.

Anyone with any information should contact Det Con Hood, at Basingstoke police station, on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

10:50am Wednesday 21st May 2008

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