Gardaí concerned about 'ongoing distraction thefts'

Gardaí in Westmeath are concerned about ongoing distraction thefts in neighbouring garda districts in which perpetrators are impersonating garda. The crimes usually target the elderly and those living alone.

The culprits can be well dressed and carry what appears to a garda badge of some description. They tend to call to the premises with the excuse of having found money and asking the person if they have lost any. That is a way of gaining entry to the person’s home.

Gardaí in Westmeath advise people that they do not operate in that way.

Any property, including cash, is kept in the Westmeath property store at Athlone Garda Station. The victim of any such a crime is asked to come to their nearest garda station and officers will arrange to get their property returned.

There have been a lot of incidents in Meath recently and fortunately this message had already been circulated by the Crime Prevention Officer for that area and people didn’t engage.

If you have been contacted or visited by a person pretending to be a garda with an excuse of finding money, please let us know.

If a person like this calls to your door, don’t engage or allow them in.