8.59 PM Friday 30 July 2010

Appeal after woman tied up in Verwood burglary

Detectives in East Dorset are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward after a burglary in Verwood in which a woman was tied up in her home by thieves who threatened her and stole property.

At about 3.30pm on Thursday, 4 February 2010, two men pushed their way into a house in the Black Hill area of Verwood. They threatened and tied the wrists of the lady occupant before making off with jewellery, bank cards and other items.

 The victim answered the door to the two men – who had called on a pretext – and they were able to push their way into the victim’s home where one man threatened her with a bladed implement of some sort before they tied her wrists.

Detective Constable Jane Matthews, of Ferndown CID, said:  “The thieves gathered a large quantity of her jewellery, bank cards, passports and other items before making off, leaving the victim tied up.

“Although the victim – a 54-year-old Verwood woman – wasn’t physically injured her face was slapped by one of the men at one stage during what must have been a very frightening ordeal.”

The two men police are looking for are both white and both have local accents.

The man with the bladed implement is five feet eleven inches tall, aged in his early thirties and of stocky build with mousey coloured wavy hair.

The second man is shorter and younger than the first, of slight build with dark coloured hair.

Detective Constable Matthews continued: “This is a very unusual incident for Verwood and it’s quite likely that this wasn’t a random attack – I also believe that other residents are in no danger from these unscrupulous men.

“My enquiries so far don’t indicate that the two men used a vehicle – but I can’t rule out that possibility.

“I’d like to hear from anyone who saw two men acting suspiciously in the Black Hill area of Verwood on Thursday afternoon, and from anyone who saw an unusual vehicle parked up in that area.

“I’d also like to hear from anyone else who has information that might lead me to identify these two men and I’d like to assure anyone with such information that their calls will be treated in total confidence.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 or 01305 22 22 22 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.