Surrey Police are urging people to treat cold callers with caution following a number of distraction burglaries across the county.


Officers are investigating eight offences reported in the past month, in which householders have been engaged in conversation while someone entered their property.


Surrey Police want to make residents aware of the tactics being used to help prevent further offences occurring.


Recent distraction techniques used included claiming to be from the water board and needing to check the household pipes, offering gardening work and the offender claiming they had lost their dog and asking to look for it in the householder’s garden.


Liane Jarman, force crime reduction adviser, said: “Under no circumstances should you let an unexpected visitor into your home. Always stop to think whether you are expecting any callers, use the chain if you do decide to answer the door and check for identification before letting anyone in.”


Officers are currently investigating distraction-style burglaries in Walton, New Haw, Leatherhead, Epsom, Hindhead, Woking and Bagshot.


Anyone with information or who has concerns and would like to speak to their local crime reduction adviser should call 101. Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on by calling 0800 555 111.