Vulnerable woman burgled by fake policeman

A vulnerable woman was injured by a man claiming to be a police officer during an alleged burglary in the Ermine area of Lincoln.

The 56-year-old woman, who has a medical condition and mobility issues, received a knock on the front door of her home in Laughton Crescent just before 10.30pm on Saturday, June 20.

When she opened the door a man dressed in all black clothing and wearing gloves told her he was a police officer investigating recent burglaries in the area.

She asked for his identification, but at that point he pushed his way into the house, breaking the door chain and knocking her to the ground in doing so. The victim was not seriously hurt, but was left distressed and shaken.

The man rifled through a number of drawers and found her handbag containing a small purse, which he left with.

Lincolnshire Police have now launched and investigation and are appealing for witnesses into the incident.

The suspect is described as being a white man, approximately 30-years-old and around five foot, 10 inches tall.

The woman’s handbag is a deep plum coloured Kipling bag bought some years ago from QVC. It is a shoulder bag with a long thin strap and is described as being around 30cm wide and 20cm tall.

Inside was a matching coloured small purse containing a small amount of cash, and there were some loose wrapped sweets in the handbag.

Police are keen to locate the bag and purse – click here to see a similar purse.

Detective Inspector Jenny Waddington said: “This was an awful incident. The victim has had the comfort of the safety of her own home invaded. She did everything she should have done in asking for identification but this offender was determined.

“We have a number of lines of enquiry in relation to this burglary but would like to hear from anyone who may have seen a man acting suspiciously in the Ermine last night (June 20) or anyone who received a knock on their door.”

Police added that it is very rare that any police officer would knock on doors at that time of night unless there was an urgent need.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or via email at [email protected] quoting incident 479 of June 20.

Alternatively, it can also be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online here.