PSNI appeal for information on pair who carried out distraction burglarly against couple in their eighties in Moneyreagh

Detective Inspector Bell said a man claiming to be a council worker approached a property in the Church Road area of Moneyreagh yesterday, Wednesday 8 February, at around 11:30am."While the male occupant was distracted, a second man entered the house and made his way to a bedroom where he was disturbed by the female occupant and left," he said."Both suspects left the property and fled the scene in a white saloon-type vehicle, which had been parked in the Tullyhubbert Road area."One of the suspects is described as being aged in his thirties, around 5' 9" and of slim build. He was wearing a white hard hat, yellow high-visibility jacket and a green surgical mask. The second man was described as being around 5' 10", of medium build and dressed in black.Detective Inspector Bell continued: "This was a brazen act in which the victims were targeted in a despicable way in the place they should feel most safe."We're urging everyone to report any suspicious activity of strangers offering unsolicited services or trying to gain access to homes."The sooner you contact us, even if it is on the behalf of others, the better our chances are of catching a potential criminal."Remember, it's your home and, if you have any concerns, it's okay not to open the door. You can speak to the person through the door or window, without actually opening the door to them. Not all cold callers are rogue traders, but some are and if you feel that something isn't quite right, it usually isn't."Report any activity that raises your suspicions to police immediately. This is a good way to alert us so we can investigate - and will help deter criminals and reduce crime in your area."Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or who may have dashcam, CCTV or other footage, to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 874 of 08/02/23."

Information can also be submitted via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/