An instance of gaining access to a property under false pretences, with the intention of committing theft.
two thieves pretending to be from the Water Board have carried out a string of distraction burglaries in the area
Example sentencesExamples
- An elderly Bradford on Avon couple were the victims of a distraction burglary.
- This is the man police want to speak to in connection with a distraction burglary in Gorse Hill.
- Distraction burglary is a pretty low crime and one that needs to be beaten so that we have safer streets.
- Motorists on Friday were asked if they had any information which could help identify the men responsible for the distraction burglary.
- An elderly woman in Harnham was the victim of a distraction burglary at the weekend.
- Police are urging residents to remain vigilant after four distraction burglaries were reported last week.
- "The whole point of distraction burglary is that there is always an accomplice who gets in to the house too."
- Clear links have been established between doorstep cold-calling and crimes such as distraction burglaries, where crooks con their way into someone's home under false pretences.
- According to Home Office statistics 38,000 pensioners were victims of distraction burglary between 2001 and 2003.
- A pensioner thwarted an attempted distraction burglary by asking the caller for identification.
- They have warned that distraction burglaries occur when con artists offer to repair roofs, replace tiles and fix other weather damage.
- Police officers are also warning elderly people to be on their guard tonight because Halloween can be rife with people committing distraction burglaries.
- Police believe two children wanted for a distraction burglary at a pensioner's home may have been trained by adults.
- It aims to raise awareness about the problem of distraction burglary, in which thieves trick their way into houses by pretending to be someone they are not.
- The incident is being treated as a distraction burglary.
- The good news is that distraction burglaries are down on last year and detection is up.
- PC Weston said it was a typical distraction burglary.
- A trial scheme in Cambridgeshire has cut the incidence of distraction burglaries by a ninth (11%) since it was set up two years ago.
- The Home Office had previously recognised that distraction burglary was an under-reported crime, he said.