RESIDENTS in Thurrock have been urged to be aware of a group of men posing as police officers to burgle homes.

The gang are understood to be using fake, but convincing Essex Police identity cards to trick their way into vulnerable people’s homes in a bid to steal cash and valuables.

The warning comes after three men conned their way into two flats in Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, overnight between January 6 and 7, by claiming to be officers.

The men, who were wearing black and white, managed to steal jewellery.
The fraudsters are now thought to be targeting properties in Basildon and Thurrock.

Terry Fowles, who has been employed by Essex Police as an Essex Watch liaison officer, has asked people to stay alert.

He said: “They have to date mainly been concentrating on elderly females, but everyone is at risk.

“If anyone calls at your property posing as a police officer please do not let them in without first checking their identity. Please phone 101 to verify that the person at your door is a bona-fide officer.

“If you mention that you are going to call the police to verify their identity, a valid police officer will be happy to wait whereas it is likely that a bogus caller will disappear quickly.

“Please try and note a brief description of the person at the door and give this to the police if the caller proves not to be a bona-fide officer.”

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.