Man in his 80s stabbed with a screwdriver by bogus police officer

A LOUGHBOROUGH man, in his 80s, has been stabbed with a screwdriver by a crook pretending to be a police officer.

Now detectives are linking a series of burglaries in which the suspects claimed to be officers.

They all occurred on Tuesday, March 10, at addresses in Loughborough, Leicester and Narborough.

At around 7pm, a report was received of a burglary at an address in Kirkstone Drive, Loughborough. It was reported a man had forced his way inside the property, having identified himself as a police officer.

One of the occupants, a man in his 80s, was stabbed with a screwdriver, causing minor injuries. A woman in her 70s was also assaulted before the man left the scene, taking jewellery.

Shortly before 8pm, police received a report of burglary at an address in Chadwick Walk, Beaumont Leys. It was reported a man knocked on the door of a property and pushed past the occupant – a woman in her 70s – when she opened the door. The man stole jewellery, cash and a mobile phone.

The third incident happened just before 8.30pm at an address in Mill Hill Lane, Highfields. A man knocked on the door of a house, claiming to be a police officer. When the occupant – a woman in her 70s – opened the door, the man forced his way inside. He pushed her to the floor and stole money and jewellery before leaving the scene.

At around 8.45pm, police received a report that a man had visited an address in Stainmore Drive, Narborough and claimed to be a police officer. However the occupants of the address became suspicious and called police, resulting in the man leaving.

Detective Sergeant Scott Cairns, from the Complex Investigation team, said: “At this time, we’re linking each of the incidents as in all reports, the suspect told the victims he was a police officer.

We think the same person or people are responsible for each incident.

“In each report, the man was wearing a high-visibility jacket and had their face covered.

“I’d like to speak to anyone who has any information or who was also visited by someone claiming to be a police officer but has not yet contacted police. Any details you’re able to provide, no matter how insignificant you think they may be, could help our investigation.

“I’d also like to ask members of the public to remain vigilant. If someone visits your address and you are suspicious of who they’re claiming to be, ask for proof of identification.”

Detective Inspector Mark Parish

added: “While our investigations into each of these incidents continues, we would like to take the opportunity to remind people not to let anyone into their home if they are unsure of their identity.

“I would urge anyone who has elderly family members, friends or neighbours to pass this message on and encourage them to remain vigilant.

“A police officer will always carry valid identification and if you are in any doubt about who the person at your door is claiming to be, you are entitled to ask them to produce it.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident 521 of 10 March.