Police have arrested three men following an attempted distraction burglary in Portadown yesterday afternoon (Thursday).
At around 2pm it was reported that a man called at an address in the Margretta Park area and attempted to distract the homeowner about his garden fence.
This man was accompanied by two other men. When challenged the men made off in a white coloured van.
Shortly before 4pm police received a report of three men in a white van acting suspiciously on the Tandragee area.
Police responded and the three men, aged 28, 29 and 50 were arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary and criminal damage.
All three men were interviewed and subsequently released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Police would like to take this opportunity to urge everyone to treat with caution any stranger who comes to their door.
Bogus callers use many guises, such as working for an electricity company, the water service, a satellite or cable TV provider and even pretend that they have lost a ball or even a cat or dog in your property.
Once they have your attention, an accomplice will make an attempt to sneak inside without you noticing so he, or indeed she, can steal things like jewellery, cash, mobile phones and other devices.
Whatever they can get their hands on they will try to take and you won’t know what has happened until they are gone.
You can also use the Quickcheck number – 0800 013 22 90 to check if a caller is genuine. The 24-hour Freephone service enables householders to challenge and independently verify the identity of anyone calling at their door.
The call is free and will be answered by a trained operator. They will take the details of the company, which the caller claims to be visiting on behalf of, then contact the organisation to determine if the caller is genuine.
If there is anything suspicious the operator will contact the police directly.
Neighbours can also play a vital part in helping protect the more vulnerable in their community against this kind of crime. Look out for suspicious vehicles and people and report ALL suspicious activity to Police.
You can contact Police on the non-emergency number 101 or in an emergency dial 999.
