THREE DISTRACTION BURGLARS SENTENCED


THREE MEN who carried out seven distraction burglaries in one day across Hertfordshire have been given a combined sentence of thirteen years imprisonment.

John Cawley, 48, from Kilburn, Patrick Cawley, 51, from Kilburn, and David Brown, 27, from Harlesden, were sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Friday (February 12).

At an earlier hearing in March 2009 David Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and in April 2009 John Cawley also pleaded guilty to the same charge. Patrick Cawley was found guilty after a trial in December 2009 at St Albans Crown Court.

John Cawley and David Brown both received sentences of four and a half years and John's brother Patrick Cawley received a four year sentence.

They were all arrested in the evening of December 6, 2008 after they had carried out a series of distraction burglaries in St Albans, Hatfield, London Colney and Kings Langley the same day. Their victims, all of whom were in their 70s and 80s and were living in warden controlled properties, were tricked into letting the men in after they claimed to be investigating a water leak.

Detective Constable Guy Reynolds, from Operation Manhunt, said: “These are callous and cowardly crimes where vulnerable victims are targeted.

“These three men conned their way into these victims' homes by claiming to be investigating a water leak. This is one of the most common tricks used by distraction burglars and I would urge anyone faced with a caller they believe is suspicious not to let them into your home and to call police immediately.

“During sentencing, the Judge stated that these types of crime are "mean and deliberate" and I hope these sentences will send out a message and act as a deterrent against such crimes.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary gives the following advice to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of distraction burglary, or bogus callers:

• Rule One: If a stranger calls – Not sure? Don't open the door!
If you are not expecting anyone and you don't recognise them, don't let them into your home. Be aware, bogus callers can be very convincing and will often pretend to be representing a utility company; a genuine caller won't mind coming back at a time when you can arrange to have somebody you trust with you.

• Rule Two: If you are expecting a caller:
Only open your door when you are happy that you know the person. If you can't see who is calling and need to open the door, use your door chain and ask for identification or a pre-arranged password before you let them in.

• Rule Three: Never keep large amounts of cash at home
If you ensure that large amounts of money are securely in a bank or building society account and any valuable jewellery is safely and discretely locked away then, even if a criminal cons their way into your home, there is nothing of value for them to steal.

February 2010