Police are appealing for witnesses and reminding residents to protect themselves from distraction burglaries following an attempted burglary at a house near Chalford.
The incident happened at a house in the Hyde area at around 4.20pm on December 11.
The offender rang the door of the house claiming to be from Severn Trent Water Board and wanted to take a water sample from the occupant's house. He then showed the occupant an identity card, but she refused the offender entry to her house and he went back to his van.
The offender is described as white, about 48 years old, around 5ft 11ins tall, of average build, with light/grey hair and balding. He was wearing a high visibility jacket and was driving a white Vauxhall Combo van.
Crime Reduction Officer Paul Francis said "This lady did exactly the right thing by not letting this person in. If you're not expecting a caller, don't be afraid to ask them to call back later when you have someone else with you"
Police are reiterating the following advice to local residents to help stop them becoming the victim of a distraction burglar or rogue trader:
• If someone knocks on your door: check who it is by looking through a window or peep-hole.
• If it's not someone you know and trust or a business caller who has made a pre-arranged appointment, do NOT open the door.
• This advice applies whatever uniform the caller appears to be wearing or ID card they are carrying and however urgent their business claims to be.
• Tell unexpected business callers to leave and come back later at an agreed time when you can have someone else with you.
• In the meantime, check their credentials by calling the organisation they claim to represent. Do so by looking up the number in your telephone book rather than using one on any card they might give you as this could simply put you through to an accomplice of a potential offender.
• Friends and relatives of vulnerable people are urged to ensure they receive this information.
Anyone with information that could help the investigation should call police on 101 quoting incident 317 of December 11.
You can also remain anonymous and contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org. In some cases Crimestoppers offer rewards of up to £1000 where information leads to a conviction